Journal of Korean medical science
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J. Korean Med. Sci. · Nov 2021
Comparative StudyComparison of Antibody Response Elicited by ChAdOx1 and BNT162b2 COVID-19 Vaccine.
ChAdOx1 and BNT162b2 vaccines are currently commonly used against coronavirus disease 2019 worldwide. Our study was designed to determine the serostatus and relative levels of anti-S and neutralizing antibodies in patients who were administered either ChAdOx1 or BNT162b2 vaccine. In addition, we investigated whether the antibody response to each vaccine differed according to sex and age. ⋯ Both the ChAdOx1- and BNT162b2-vaccinated groups showed high seropositivity for anti-S and neutralizing antibodies. The SIR of neutralizing antibodies in the ChAdOx1 vaccine group was higher in women than in men. Enhanced antibody responses were observed in participants vaccinated with BNT162b2 compared to those vaccinated with the ChAdOx1 vaccine.
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J. Korean Med. Sci. · Nov 2021
Trend of Antibiotic Use in Children with Acute Otitis Media in Korea.
Public interventions have shown to optimize the use of antibiotics in children with acute otitis media (AOM). In this study, we describe the AOM-related antibiotic use among children in South Korea using national cohort data. We retrieved the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service data to construct a national cohort of children aged 0-6 years who had been diagnosed with AOM between 2012 and 2018. ⋯ Prescription has decreased for cephalosporin (35.1% in 2012 to 31.8% in 2018) and macrolide (8.7% in 2012 to 6.4% in 2018). National cohort data have shown an increased trend in AOM-related aminopenicillin prescription and downward trend cephalosporin and macrolide use in South Korea. A multi-faceted approach is required to control the antimicrobial resistance at a population level.
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J. Korean Med. Sci. · Nov 2021
Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Mental Health of Adolescent Students in Daegu, Korea.
In February 2020, as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) spread rapidly in Daegu, South Korea, students in that region experienced many emotional difficulties. In this study, we analyzed the stress and emotional crisis experienced by students during the COVID-19 pandemic, its causative factors, and the factors that affect negative emotions. ⋯ Students in Daegu experienced lots of mental difficulties since the COVID-19 pandemic. It will be necessary to improve stress management and resilience to improve students' mental health in disasters such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
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J. Korean Med. Sci. · Nov 2021
Underutilisation of Physical Rehabilitation Therapy by Cancer Patients in Korea: a Population-based Study of 958,928 Korean Cancer Patients.
Advanced cancers are associated with more severe symptoms and greater impairment. Although most patients with metastatic cancer would benefit from rehabilitation, few patients receive appropriate rehabilitation therapy. We explored the use of rehabilitation therapy by cancer patients. Our data represented the entire population of Korea. The analyses were performed according to cancer type and stage. ⋯ This claims-based study revealed that rehabilitation therapy for cancer patients is underutilised in Korea. Although patients with metastasis underwent more intensive rehabilitation than patients with early stage cancer, those without brain and bone tumours (the treatment of which is covered by insurance) were less likely to use rehabilitation services. Further efforts to improve the use of rehabilitation would improve the outcomes of cancer patients.
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J. Korean Med. Sci. · Nov 2021
Controlling an Outbreak of Multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit: a Retrospective Analysis.
Multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (MDRAB) is widespread among intensive care units worldwide, posing a threat to patients and the health system. We describe the successful management of a MDRAB outbreak by implementing an infection-control strategy in a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). ⋯ The MDRAB outbreak was successfully terminated by the implementation of a comprehensive infection-control strategy focused on the promotion of hand hygiene, universal contact precautions, and environmental management through multidisciplinary teamwork.