Stigma of Mental Illnesses as Perceived by North Korean Defectors Living in South Korea

Objective

This study aims to provide the information of the stigmas of mental illness such as psychosis, alcoholism, attempt suicide, and depression among North Korean defectors.

Methods

We examined stigma for the mental illnesses of 639 North Korean defectors aged 19 to 65 years who live in the Settlement Support Center for North Korean Refugees. The stigmas of mental illnesses were assessed using the Perceived Devaluation-Discrimination Scale We directly compared the stigma level between North Korean defectors and the general population of South Korea.

Results

North Korean defectors had higher perceived stigmas of psychosis and alcoholism and lower perceived stigmas of depression than South Koreans. Perceived stigma associated with attempted suicide was similar for North Korean defectors and South Koreans. Only marital status in sociodemographic variables had associations with higher perceived stigma of psychosis, alcoholism, and depression in the North Korean defectors. North Korean defectors, who spent more than one year in transit country, had associations with lower perceived stigma of psychosis and alcoholism. North Korean defectors, who had the experience of compulsory repatriation to North Korea or North Korean family in South Korea, had an association with higher perceived stigma of depression.

Conclusion

North Korean defectors had higher perceived stigmas of psychosis and alcoholism and lower perceived stigmas of depression than South Koreans. Further studies are needed to document serial changes in stigmas for mental illnesses associated with the receipt of education at the Settlement Support Center for North Korean defectors.     

Atypical pathogens in adult patients admitted with community-acquired pneumonia in Korea

This study examined the prevalence of atypical pathogens causing community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in Korea. We collected sera and clinical data for a period of 1 year for the adult patients consecutively admitted to Chunchon Sacred Heart Hospital with CAP. The diagnosis was made using serologic methods to detect antibodies for Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydia pneumoniae, Legionella spp., Chlamydia psittaci, and Coxiella burnetii. Among 81 recruited patients, C. pneumoniae (n = 10, 12.3%) was the leading cause of illness, followed by M. pneumoniae (n = 7, 8.6%). One case of C. burnetii pneumonia was detected, but there were no cases of Legionella spp. or C. psittaci. Three cases of C. pneumoniae pneumonia were co-infected with either M. pneumoniae or C. burnetii. There was no significant difference between atypical pneumonia and non-diagnosed pneumonia in terms of clinical manifestations. In conclusion, of the atypical pathogens causing CAP, C. pneumoniae and M. pneumoniae appear to be the important etiologic pathogens in Korea.     

Maximum force and the center of pressure trajectory length according to foot angles during stair walking

[Purpose] Walking with the feet turned inward or outward often causes issues for the people with these walking patterns. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of in-toeing and out-toeing on maximum force and the center of pressure (COP) trajectory length during stair walking. [Subjects and Methods] The subjects were 30 female university students without orthopedic diseases of the foot. The foot angle was divided into three types: in-toeing, normal, and out-toeing. A plantar pressure measurement instrument was used, and the maximum force was obtained by dividing the foot into six regions covering the anterior medial-lateral, middle medial-lateral, and posterior medial-lateral regions. The COP trajectory length was statistically calculated by measuring the medial-lateral, anterior-posterior, and total travel distances. [Results] During stair climbing, the maximum force was significantly different in the anterior lateral region. During stair descending, the maximum force was significantly different in the anterior lateral, middle medial, middle lateral, posterior medial, and posterior lateral regions. The COP trajectory length showed a statistically significant difference in the medio-lateral travel distance. [Conclusion] Walking with abnormal foot angles causes deformed foot structures and can result in musculoskeletal disabilities in the long term. Therefore, therapeutic intervention is required to maintain normal foot angles.Key words: Foot angle, Stair walking, Maximum force     

Effect of a muscle strengthening exercise program for pelvic control on gait function of stroke patients

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of strengthening exercises for the hip extensors on the gait performance and stability of patients with hemiplegia. [Subjects and Methods] The subjects were fifteen stroke patients (ten males, five females). The experimental subjects performed a hip extensor strengthening exercise (HESE) program for a total of four weeks. [Results] The experimental subjects showed significant improvements after the HESE program. Especially, walking speed and the affected side stance phase time significantly increased after the HESE program. Furthermore, the affected side stride length and symmetry index in the stance phase significantly increased after HESE program. [Conclusion] These results suggest that the HESE program may, in part, help to improve gait performance ability and stabilize physical disability after stroke.Key words: Stroke patients, Hip extensor strengthening exercise (HESE) program, Gait function     

Maximal lateral reaching distance on the affected side using the multi-directional reach test in persons with stroke

[Purpose] This study aimed to examine the relationship between maximal lateral reaching distance on the affected side and weight shifting using the Multi-directional Reach Test in persons with stoke. [Subjects] Fifty-one chronic stroke participants were recruited from two rehabilitation hospitals. This study administered the Berg Balance Scale, Timed Up-and-Go, Trunk Impairment Scale, Modified Barthel Index and measured different maximal reaching distances. [Results] The maximal lateral reaching distance on the affected side was correlated with the BBS (r=0.571), TUG (r=−0.478), TIS (r=0.561), and MBI scores (r=0.499), the lateral reaching distance in all directions on the non-affected side (r=0.785), the maximal backward reaching distance (r=0.723), and the maximal forward reaching distance (r=0.673). The maximal reaching distance on the affected side was also affected by that on the non-affected side, in addition to the maximal backward reaching distance and MBI score. The final step model of stepwise multiple regression was explained 69.5%. [Conclusion] Maximal lateral reaching distance on the affected side as determined by the Multi-directional Reach Test is a good method of assessing functional performance in stroke patients. Data regarding maximal reaching distance on the non-affected side can be used to measure functional impairment on the affected side in clinical settings.Key words: Reaching, Stroke, Weight shifting     

Effects of high voltage pulsed current stimulation with a visible contraction intensity on expression of TGF-β1 and synthesis of type I collagen in wound-induced white rats

[Purpose] This study aimed to examine the expression of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) and type I collagen by applying high voltage pulsed current stimulation (HVPCS) with a visible contraction intensity to white rats with induced wounds. [Subjects] Thirty-six white rats were used for this study. HVPCS with a non-visible contraction intensity was applied to experimental group I, and HVPCS with a visible contraction intensity was applied to experimental group II. Placebo stimulation was applied to the control group. [Methods] After wounds were triggered, the intervention appropriate for each group was applied. Changes in the size of their wounds and expression of TGF- β1 and type I collagen were measured on the third, fifth, and seventh days. [Results] Comparison of the sizes of the wounds among the groups showed that the most significant decreases were found in experimental group II on the fifth and seventh days. TGF-β1 expression comparison revealed that experimental group II had the most expression on the fifth day. [Conclusion] HVPCS with a visible contraction intensity was effective in promoting wound healing by increasing expression of TGF-β1 and synthesis of type I collagen.Key words: High voltage pulsed current stimulation, Transforming growth factor β1, Wound     

Therapeutic effects of reaching with forward bending of trunk on postural stability,dynamic balance,and gait in individuals with chronic hemiparetic stroke

[Purpose] The objective of this study was to perform forward bending of the trunk and reaching training in chronic stroke patients and to investigate subsequent changes in trunk control, dynamic balance, and gait. [Subject] Twenty-three chronic stroke patients were randomly divided into two groups, with 10 patients in the forward bending of the trunk and reaching group and 13 patients in the control group. [Methods] Both groups underwent 30 minutes of rehabilitation therapy, five days a week, for four weeks. The forward bending of the trunk and reaching group additionally performed forward bending of the trunk and reaching training five times a week for four weeks, which involved four sets of pressing buttons 35 times, for a total of 140 button presses per session. The subjects were tested before and after training using the Trunk Impairment Scale, Berg Balance Scale, Timed Up and Go Test, Six-Minute Walking Test, and 10-Meter Walking Test. Trunk control, dynamic balance, and walking ability were compared between the two groups. [Result] The results of the study showed that the results of the Trunk Impairment Scale, Berg Balance Scale, Timed Up and Go Test, Six-Minute Walking Test improved significantly in the FBR group, while there were no significant differences in the control group. [Conclusion] This study results suggest that forward bending of the trunk and reaching training can be an effective exercise method for chronic stroke patients.Key words: Postural control, Stroke, Trunk     

Results of Abductor Pollicis Longus Suspension Ligamentoplasty for Treatment of Advanced First Carpometacarpal Arthritis

Background

Suspension ligamentoplasty using abductor pollicis longus (APL) tendon without bone tunneling, was introduced as one of the techniques for treatment of advanced first carpometacarpal (CMC) arthritis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the radiologic and clinical results of APL suspension ligamentoplasty.

Methods

The medical records of 19 patients who underwent APL suspension ligamentoplasty for advanced first CMC arthritis between January 2008 and May 2012 were reviewed retrospectively. The study included 13 female and 6 male patients, whose mean age was 62 years (range, 43 to 82 years). For clinical evaluation, we assessed the grip and pinch power, radial and volar abduction angle, thumb adduction (modified Kapandji index), including visual analogue scale (VAS) and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) scores. Radiologic evaluation was performed using simple radiographs.

Results

The mean follow-up was 36 months (range, 19 to 73.7 months). Mean power improved from 18.3 to 27 kg for grip power, from 2.8 to 3.5 kg for tip pinch, and from 4.3 to 5.4 kg for power pinch. All patients showed decreased VAS from 7.2 to 1.7. Radial abduction improved from 71° preoperatively to 82° postoperatively. The modified Kapandji index showed improvement from 6 to 7.3, and mean DASH was improved from 41 to 17.8. The height of the space decreased from 10.8 to 7.1 mm. Only one case had a complication involving temporary sensory loss of the first dorsal web space, which resolved spontaneously.

Conclusions

The APL suspension ligamentoplasty for treatment of advanced first CMC arthritis yielded satisfactory functional results.     

Comparison of changes in retentive force of three stud attachments for implant overdentures

PURPOSEThe aim of this study was to compare the changes in retentive force of stud attachments for implant overdentures by in vitro 2-year-wear simulation.RESULTSA comparison of the initial retentive force revealed the highest value for Kerator, followed by the O-ring and EZ lock attachments. However, no significant difference was detected between Kerator and O-ring (P>.05). After 2500 insertion and removal cycles, the highest retention loss was recorded for O-ring, and no significant difference between Kerator and EZ lock (P>.05). Also, Kerator showed the highest retentive force, followed by EZ lock and O-ring, after 2500 cycles (P<.05). Based on SEM analysis, the polymeric components in O-ring and Kerator were observed to exhibit surface wear and deformation.CONCLUSIONAfter 2500 insertion and removal cycles, all attachments exhibited significant loss in retention. Mechanism of retention loss can only be partially explained by surface changes.