Factors influencing the self-management of kidney transplant patients based on self-determination theory: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Self-determination theory is useful for explaining how kidney transplant recipients self-manage their postoperative health, including drug regimens, but few studies have applied this theory to transplant recipients. This study aimed to examine the influence of health professionals' autonomy support, autonomous motivation and competence on kidney transplant patients' self-management based on the self-determination theory.

Methods: This study included 79 kidney transplant patients from one outpatient clinic in a general hospital in Seoul, Korea.

Pilot study of effective methods for measuring and stretching for pectoral muscle tightness in breast cancer patients.

[Purpose] To evaluate differences in pectoral muscle tightness according to arm abduction angle and to determine the best arm abduction angle for stretching of pectoral muscle tightness in breast cancer patients. [Subjects and Methods] Horizontal abduction differences of shoulders were measured bilaterally by arm abduction to 45°, 90°, and 135° to determine the best arm abduction angle for measuring pectoral muscle tightness. Thirty-two patients were divided into three pectoral muscle stretching groups (A: 45°, B: 90°, and C: 135°).

Assessment of peripheral neuropathy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis who complain of neurologic symptoms.

Objective: To assess the prevalence of peripheral neuropathy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) having neuropathic symptoms, and to investigate the relationship between electrophysiological findings of peripheral neuropathy and clinical findings of RA.

Methods: Patients with a clinical diagnosis of RA and who had tingling or burning sensation in any extremity were electrophysiologically examined for evidence of peripheral neuropathy. Study parameters, including age, gender, laboratory parameters, duration of RA, and medication, were recorded.

Reliability and validity of the korean version of the pain disability questionnaire.

Objective: To translate the English version of the Pain Disability Questionnaire (PDQ) into Korean and to investigate the reliability and validity of the Korean version of the PDQ (K-PDQ) in patients suffering chronic disabling musculoskeletal disorders (CDMDs).

Methods: The English version of the PDQ was translated into Korean. Ten patients with CDMDs were randomly selected for a pilot study to assess the comprehensibility of the pre-final version.

High frequency of gross deletions in 5' LTR/gag and nef genes in patients infected with CRF02_AG of HIV type 1 who survived for over 20 years: an association with Korean red ginseng.

Abstract We have shown that Korean red ginseng (KRG) intake is associated with gross deletions in the 5' LTR/gag (gDeltaLTR/gag) and nef genes (gDeltanef) of patients infected with subtype B of HIV-1. Here, we investigated these effects in three long-term survivors (LTSs) of subtype CRF02_AG of HIV-1. The three LTSs were diagnosed with HIV in 1987, 1988, and 1989, and have been treated with KRG for 7-15 years.

[Health problems and psychosocial adaptation of children with cancer].

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe health problems and psychosocial adaptation in children with cancer and to determine the relationship between these two variables.

Method: The data were collected from parents of 61 children with cancer, aged 4-11 years at one university hospital in Seoul. The instruments for this study were the Korea Child Behavior Check List (KCBCL) and a physical symptom checklist developed by the researchers.