• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.41 no.4
• /
• pp.224-229
• /
• 2007

Objective : Despite improvement of therapeutic regimen, incidence of stroke increases and it remains a leading cause of death. Our study aims at offering variable data on recurrent strokes. Methods : There were 59 patients who admitted from Jan. 2002 to Dec. 2004 due to recurrent strokes. A retrospective longitudinal cohort study was done. Results : Four-hundred-seventy five patients, diagnosed with acute stroke, experienced 491 strokes in 3 years, and there were 75 recurrent strokes [15.3%] in 59 patients. These 59 patients were included in the study. First hemorrhagic cases [H] were 19 [32%], and the first infarction cases [I] were 40 [68%]. Subsequent strokes after first stroke were as follows : $H{\to}H$ 14 [23.7%] cases, $H{\to}I$ 5 [8.5%], $I{\to}H$ 8 [13.6%], $I{\to}I$ 32 (54.2%]. A Cox regression analyses showed that the first type of stroke was a significant factor to the second stroke as follows : if one has had a hemorrhagic stroke, the possibility of second hemorrhagic attack ($H{\to}H$ attack) increase 3.2 times than ischemic type and in ischemic stroke [$I{\to}I$ attack] 3.6 times increased incidence of second ischemic attack. Conclusion : The recurrence rate of stroke was 12.4% [59 of 475 patients]. If the first stroke is hemorrhage or infarction, the next stroke would have high potentiality of hemorrhage, or infarction. The possibility of same type in second stroke Increase over 3 times. In $H{\to}H$ group, the time interval between first and second stroke was shorter and the age of onset was earlier than in $I{\to}I$ group. Moreover, the infarction was more frequent than hemorrhage in multiple strokes. There was a correlation in lacunar type infarction between first and second attack.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.47 no.2
• /
• pp.104-112
• /
• 2014

Objectives: To date, studies have not comprehensively demonstrated the relationship between stroke incidence and socioeconomic status. This study investigated stroke incidence by household income level in conjunction with age, sex, and stroke subtype in Korea. Methods: Contributions by the head of household were used as the basis for income levels. Household income levels for 21 766 036 people were classified into 6 groups. The stroke incidences were calculated by household income level, both overall within income categories and further by age group, sex, and stroke subtype. To present the inequalities among the six ranked groups in a single value, the slope index of inequality and relative index of inequality were calculated. Results: In 2005, 57 690 people were first-time stroke patients. The incidences of total stroke for males and females increased as the income level decreased. The incidences of stroke increased as the income level decreased in those 74 years old and under, whereas there was no difference by income levels in those 75 and over. Intracerebral hemorrhage for the males represented the highest inequality among stroke subtypes. Incidences of subarachnoid hemorrhage did not differ by income levels. Conclusions: The incidence of stroke increases as the income level decreases, but it differs according to sex, age, and stroke subtype. The difference in the relative incidence is large for male intracerebral hemorrhage, whereas the difference in the absolute incidence is large for male ischemic stroke.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.23 no.5
• /
• pp.23-28
• /
• 2011

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate functional gait and pulmonary function of patients with subacute or chronic stroke for aperiod after the onset of stroke. Healthy people of similar ages served as a control group. The study focused on the clinical importance of intervention with cardiopulmonary rehabilitation treatment in patients with stroke. Methods: The standard time period used to differentiate the subacute and the chronic stroke groups was six months. Each group, including the control, was allocated 11 subjects. Vital capacity (VC), forced vital capacity (FVC), and forced expiratory volume at one second ($FEV_1$) were measured with a spirometer for each subject. Walk tests (10 m and 6 min) and functional gait tests were then conducted. Results: Significant differences were noted for VC, FVC, and $FEV_1$ between the subacute stroke group and the normal group and between the chronic stroke group and the normal group (p<0.05), but no significant difference was evident between the subacute stroke group and the chronic stroke group (p>0.05). No significant difference was seen between the subacute stroke group and the chronic stroke group in the 6min walk test (p>0.05), whereas a significant difference was observed between the subacute stroke group and the chronic stroke group in the 10 m walk test (p<0.05). Conclusion: The general rehabilitation treatment is effective with respect to functional aspects, but it has limited effect in improving pulmonary function and muscular endurance. Therefore, additional intervention of cardiopulmonary rehabilitation is necessary in the rehabilitation treatment process of patients with stroke.

• Perspectives in Nursing Science
• /
• v.2 no.1
• /
• pp.76-91
• /
• 2005

Stroke patients often develop post stroke sequelae when they survive. Post stroke fatigue and emotional disturbances including depression are common along with motor dysfunction. However, medical personnel have paid relatively little attention to emotional changes and the presence of fatigue following strokes. Post-stroke fatigue was common, occurring in 57% of the patients in our series. The post-stroke fatigue appears to be related to the pre-stroke fatigue, physical disability and post stroke depression (PSD) although the relation to the lesion location remains elusive. The prevalence of post-stroke emotional disturbance has been reported to range from 12% to 64%. The wide variation in the frequency of post stroke depression may be related to methodological heterogeneity in items such as the criteria for depression, the timing of assessment, and the study population. Emotional incontinence, which is characterized by inappropriate or excessive laughing or crying is also common. The incidence of and factor related to this post-stroke emotional incontinence (PSEI) also remains unclear. We reported that out-patients with single, unilateral stroke, 18% had PSD and 34% had PSEI. Although both PSD and PSEI were related to motor dysfunction and location (anterior vs. posterior cortex) of the lesion, the latter was a stronger determinant for PSD. PSEI was more closely associated with subcortical strokes than was PSD. Another manifestation of post stroke patients is the occurrence of post stroke anger proneness (PSAP). They may become easily irritated, impulsive, less generous, and prone to be angry or aggressive at others. We also have reported the PSAP which seems to be closely associated with the presence of PSEI. The lesion distribution appears to be also similar. Both PSEI and PSAP respond well to serotonin reuptake inhibitors suggesting that these symptomsmay be possibly related to the alteration of serotonin after brain injury. Likewise, PSAP also produces a great deal of frustration and embarrassment among patients and caregivers. In summary, emotional disturbances such as depression, emotional incontinence, anger-proneness and fatigue are fairly common but under-recognized sequelae of stroke. These emotional disturbances decrease the quality of life of the patients and caregivers, and may adversely affect the overall prognosis. Therefore, these problems must be appropriately recognized and alleviated. Finding strategies to relieve the symptoms is imperative by understanding the causative factors in individual patient.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
• /
• v.29 no.3
• /
• pp.302-312
• /
• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the following: knowledge of stroke, fear of recurrence and health behaviors among patients with ischemic stroke. Further, factors influencing health behavior will be described. Methods: Data were collected from 180 patients with ischemic stroke at a general hospital. The study instruments included items about general and health related characteristics, a Stroke Knowledge Scale, a Stroke Fear of Recurrence Scale, and a Health Behavior Scale. Hierarchical regression method was conducted to examine predictors of health behavior. Results: The mean age of the participants was $63.62{\pm}11.10years$, and 57.8% of the sample was men. The mean score for stroke knowledge (possible range=0~17) was $14.99{\pm}1.76$, the mean score for fear of recurrence (possible range=0~32) was $23.16{\pm}3.75$, and the mean score for health behavior (possible range=20~80) was $54.69{\pm}6.46$. Stroke knowledge and fear of recurrence were associated with health behavior in patients with ischemic stroke (F=9.98, p<.001, Adjusted $R^2=.43$). Conclusion: The results demonstrated that stroke knowledge and fear of recurrence impacts the health behavior among patients with ischemic stroke. Thus, nursing interventions which focused on fear of recurrence as well as enhancing stroke knowledge could help health behavior in patients with ischemic stroke.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
• /
• v.7 no.5
• /
• pp.579-582
• /
• 2008

This study was aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of moxibustion on dysphagia after stroke. We conducted his study in the Department of Cardiovascular and Neurologic Diseases (Stroke Center), Hospital of Oriental Medicine, Kyung Hee Medical Center, from May 1, 2005 to August 1, 2006. After recruiting dysphagia patients after stroke, we applied the Direct Moxibustion ($1.2\;{\times}\;1.4\;cm$) to the Chon-Jung acupoint 5 times, and assessed its effect on swallowing reflex by Swallowing Provocation Test (SPT) before and 30 min after treatment. Effectiveness of the swallowing reflex was assessed by the Latency Time of Swallowing Reflex (LTSR) which was checked from test starting to the onset of swallowing reflex. Thirty four subjects with dysphagia were treated with moxibustion. The mean of the latency time in swallowing reflex was shortened from $2.2\;{\pm}\;0.9$ to $1.5\;{\pm}\;0.5$ seconds after moxibustion, which had statistical significance (P < 0.001). We suggest that moxibustion at Chon-Jung could be useful for dysphagia after stroke. Further study with a randomized controlled trial compared to placebo is needed to confirm this suggestion.

• The Journal of the Society of Stroke on Korean Medicine
• /
• v.6 no.1
• /
• pp.1-7
• /
• 2005

Objectives: Chungpyesagan-tang is a famous oriental Objectives: medicine treatment frequently used to stroke in Korea. The objective of this study is to evaluate the mechanism of the therapeutic effect of Chungpyesagan-tang on stroke in rat. Methods: We compared the difference in regional cer Methods: ebral blood flow, nitric oxide (NO) synthesis between the control and the Chungpyesagan-tang-treated group after ligating middle cerebral artery. Results: In our study, cerebral blood flow increased more in the stroke rats which had been fed by Chungpyesagan-tang than in the control. Chungpyesagan-tang induced vascular NO synthesis, but had no effect on neuronal NO synthesis. Conclusion: The mechanism of Chngpyesagan-tang's therapeutic effect on ischemic stroke could be explained by increasing cerebral blood flow and vascular NO synthesis.

• The Journal of the Society of Stroke on Korean Medicine
• /
• v.7 no.1
• /
• pp.54-58
• /
• 2006

Objectives : This study was aimed to investigated the relationship between warning signs and stroke subtype in acute stroke patients. Methods : From Oct. in 2005 to Oct. in 2006, 409 acute stroke patients were included. Patients were hospitalized within 14 days after the onset of stroke in DongGuk University International Hospital, Kyungwon University In-cheon Oriental Medical Hospital, Department Cardiovascular and Neurologic Diseases(Stroke center) Kyung Hee University Oriental hospital. We investigated general characteristics, stroke subtype, and warning signs(facial spasm, neck stiffness). Results : Hemorrhagic stroke had more facial spasm than ischemic stroke. (odds ratio 3.60) Small vessel occlusion had more neck stiffness than others. (odds ratio 2.03) Conclusion : To acquire more concrete conclusions on warning signs, we need further and large scale of prospective researches.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
• /
• v.4 no.1
• /
• pp.51-69
• /
• 2002

The purpose of this study was to identify the effect of cerebral ischemia on affected(Lt) and unaffected(Rt) side of soleus, plantaris and gastrocnemius muscle mass and determine the effect of exercise on affected and unaffected side on soleus, plantaris and gastrocnemius muscle mass during acute stage of stroke. Sixteen male Sprague-Dawley rate with 200-270g body weight were randomly divided into three groups: control, stroke, and exercise after stroke(St+Ex) group. The control group received sham operation and the stroke group and St+Ex group received transient right MCA(middle cerebral artery) occlusion operation. The St+Ex groups ran on a treadmill for 20min/day at 10m/min and $10^{\circ}$ grade for 6days. During the experimental period body weight and diet intake was measured every morning. On the 7th day after operation, muscles were dissected from both affected and unaffected side of hindlimb. Cerebral infarction of stroke and St+Ex groups were identified by staining with TCC for 30 minutes. The data were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis test and Mann-Whitney U test using the SPSSWIN 9.0 program. Significance was accepted at the level of p<0.05. The results were summarized follows : 1) There were no significant difference of the body weight on the first day of experiment among 3 groups. Whereas on the 7th day, the body weight of both stroke group and St+Ex group were significantly smaller than that of control group. Body weight of St+Ex group on the 7th day tended to be larger than that of stroke group. 2) Total diet intake of both stroke group and St+Ex group were also significantly smaller than that of control group. While total amount of diet intake in St+Ex group tended to be larger than that of stroke group. 3) The weight of gastrocnemius muscle of affected side in stroke group significantly decreased compared to that of control group and the weight of soleus and plantaris muscle of affected side in stroke group tended to decrease compared to that of control group. 4) The weight of plantaris muscle of unaffected side in stroke group significantly decreased compared to that of control group and the weight of soleus and gastrocnemius muscle of unaffected side in stroke group tended to decrease compared to those of control group. 5) The weight of gastrocnemius muscle of affected side in stroke group significantly decreased compared to that of unaffected side and there was no significant difference of the weight of soleus and plantaris muscle in stroke group between affected side and unaffected side. 6) The weight of soleus, plantaris and gastrocnemius muscle of both affected side and unaffected side in St+Ex group had a tendency of increase compared to those of stroke group. The relative weight of soleus and gastrocnemius muscle of affected side and soleus muscle of unaffected side in St+Ex group had a tendency to increase compared to those of stroke group. Based on these results, exercise during acute stage of stroke might attenuate muscle atrophy of both affected and unaffected side of hindlimb muscles.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.28 no.4
• /
• pp.808-815
• /
• 2007

Objectives : This study investigated stroke lesions and their relationship with warning signs and risk factors in stroke patients. Methods : Three hundred fifty-three stroke patients were recruited at the Department of Cardiovascular and Neurologic Diseases (stroke center) of Kyung Hee University Oriental hospital from October 2005 to July 2007. We evaluated their stroke lesions with brain MRI, their warning signs, and risk factors. Results : 353 subjects were included in the final analysis. The frequency of diabetes was found more in presence of brain stem lesion than without. The cortex lesion showed a close relationship with smoking, drinking and the frequency of one side paralysis or weakness. These were more common in males than in females. Conclusions : We observed stroke lesions and their characteristics in stroke patients. The subjects' brain lesions seemed affectedby the risk factors. A concrete conclusion can hardly be drawn from this study; additional research is necessary.