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Biomedical subjects

Won Sup Lee

Publications and source records attributed to Won Sup Lee.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

Role of serum tumor markers in monitoring for recurrence of gastric cancer following radical gastrectomy.

It has been suggested that the serum tumor markers AFP, CEA, and CA19-9 may serve as prognostic factors or indicators for recurrence after radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer. We compared the value of these markers in a group with (n=52) and a group without recurrent gastric cancer (n=52) according to the site of recurrence. Serum levels of tumor markers were measured at the time of preoperative diagnosis and at follow-up. At least one tumor marker was positive preoperatively in 20 with recurrence vs. 7 controls (p=0.007). The peritoneum was the most common recurrent site. The positive predictive value of AFP was high at the time of diagnosis and CA19-9 positivity was high at the time of recurrence. Positive CEA suggested recurrence to the liver. In summary, an elevated tumor marker at diagnosis or during follow up may identify patients at higher risk for a recurrence. CA19-9 may be especially useful as a marker for peritoneal recurrence of the gastric cancer, and CEA for recurrence to liver.

Adult↗

Patient-reported assessment of quality care at end of life: development and validation of Quality Care Questionnaire-End of Life (QCQ-EOL).

Our goal was to validate an instrument with which terminally ill patients could evaluate the quality of care they receive at the end of life (EOL). Questionnaire development followed a four-phase process: item generation and reduction, construction, pilot testing, and field-testing. Using relevance and priority criteria and pilot testing, we developed a 16-item questionnaire. Factor analyses of data from 235 patients resulted in the Quality Care Questionnaire-End of Life (QCQ-EOL) covering dignity-conserving care, care by health care professionals, individualised care, and family relationships. All subscales and total scores showed high internal consistency (Cronbach alpha range, 0.73-0.89). The ability of total score and selective subscale scores clearly differentiated patients on the basis of clinical situation, sense of dignity, and general rating of care quality. Correlations of scores between patients and caregivers were substantial. The QCQ-EOL can be adopted to assess the quality of care received by terminally ill patients.

Adult↗

Validation study of the Korean version of the M. D. Anderson Symptom Inventory.

This study aimed to evaluate the Korean version of the M. D. Anderson Symptom Inventory (MDASI-K) as a tool for assessing multiple symptoms in Korean cancer patients. Participants (178 cancer patients and 178 age and sex-matched community-dwelling adults) completed the MDASI-K and the Korean version of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ-C30. The MDASI-K exhibited substantial reliability and validity. Cronbach alpha coefficients were 0.91 and 0.93 in the cancer patients, and 0.96 and 0.96 in the normal group for both symptom and interference, respectively. MDASI-K summary scores correlated significantly with those of the EORTC QLQ-C30. Discriminant validity of the MDASI-K was demonstrated by its ability to clearly distinguish significant differences within different Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance statuses and those between the patient and normal groups in the mean scores of both symptom and interference. The MDASI-K is a valid and reliable measure for assessing multiple symptoms in Korean cancer patients.

Adult↗

Economic burdens and quality of life of family caregivers of cancer patients.

OBJECTIVES: We conducted this study to identify factors influencing the burdens cancer brings to a patient's family and to evaluate the association between the burdens and the caregiver's quality of life (QOL). METHODS: Participants were drawn from the primary family caregivers of cancer patients at 6 university hospitals and the National Cancer Center in Korea. Of the 738 eligible caregivers, 704 (95.4%) completed the questionnaire packets (Family Impact Questions and Caregiver's QOL-Cancer). RESULTS: Caregivers, who were poor (OR, 2.11; 95% CI, 1.44-3.10), whose health status was poor (OR, 1.87; 95% CI, 1.29-2.70), who were married (OR, 1.75; 95% CI, 1.12-2.72), who provided care for a long time (OR, 2.29; 95% CI, 1.59-3.28), who cared for patients with poor performance status (OR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.00-1.82), and who paid high medical expenses (OR, 1.70; 95% CI, 1.21-2.40), were more likely to lose their family savings. In multiple regression analysis, most burden variables--including requiring caregiving assistance, major life change, inability to function normally, loss of savings, loss of income, and altered educational plans--were associated with caregiver QOL. Loss of family income, which was related to economic issues, was most strongly associated with it (16.0%). CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that to improve caregiver QOL, we should give priority to decreasing the economic burden that cancer places on patient's family.

Activities of Daily Living↗

Validation study of the korean version of the brief fatigue inventory.

The goal of this study was to evaluate the reliability and validity of the Korean version of the Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI-K). One hundred seventy-eight cancer patients and the same number of age- and sex-matched control subjects completed the BFI-K, the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C30 (EORTC QLQ-C30), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and a Brief Pain Inventory (BPI). The Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the BFI-K was 0.956 in the cancer patient group and 0.955 in the control group. The global score and nine of the single item scores for the BFI-K were significantly correlated with the fatigue and global health status/QoL subscale of the EORTC QLQ-C30, BDI, and BPI (coefficient range 0.38-0.66). Discriminant validity showed that BFI-K could distinguish significant differences of performance status between subgroups of patients, and between the cancer patient group and the control group, as expected. Our study has shown that the BFI-K is a reliable, valid self-rating instrument in terms of its psychometric properties.

Comorbidity↗

Chylothorax in Gorham's disease.

A 25-yr-old woman presented with a right pleural effusion. Destruction of 9th through 12th ribs, adjacent vertebral bodies, and transverse processes was noted on plain radiograph and a large low-attenuated, irregular shaped mass lesion with peripheral rim enhancement, destroying vertebral body and transverse process, was revealed on the computed tomographic scan. Magnetic resonance imaging showed high signal on T1- weighted image and iso- and low signal on T2-weighted image for the mass lesion replacing the vertebral bony cortex and marrow space. An open rib biopsy revealed the histopathological changes of Gorham's disease (essential osteolysis), even though only bloody fluid filling the empty space and rib and vertebral transverse process destruction were grossly observed on operation. Even though there was no definite response to radiotherapy and pleurodesis, the patient showed stable condition up to 20 months after diagnosis.

Adult↗