Jae-Young Lim | 10 Articles |
Electrodiagnosis![]()
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To establish the reference standard of the median nerve conduction study (NCS) in Korea. Methods A total of 648 median motor and 602 median sensory NCSs from 349 Korean healthy volunteers were tested and analyzed prospectively. Equipment calibration, assessment of intraand inter-rater reliability, and the NCSs per se were conducted according to a predetermined protocol. A reference standard was established from uncertainty components for the following parameters: the onset and peak latencies; the baseline-to-peak and peak-to-peak amplitudes; the area and duration of the negative wave; and the nerve conduction velocity. The effects of sex, age and stimulation intensity were analyzed. Results Each measured value of 648 median motor and 602 median sensory nerves were obtained and presented with both mean and expanded uncertainties, as well as mean and standard deviations. The cut-off values with expanded uncertainty were determined for different age and sex groups. After adjusting for anthropometric covariates, all parameters except duration were affected by age, and sex appeared to influence both duration and area. While stimulation intensity significantly affected some parameters including latencies, the effect sizes were negligible. Conclusion We propose the median NCS reference standard using the largest Korean dataset ever available. The use of the traceable and reliable reference standard is anticipated to promote more accurate and dependable diagnosis and appropriate management of median neuropathies in Korea.
Electrodiagnosis![]()
Objective
To develop a set of reference standards for tibial motor, common peroneal motor, sural sensory, and superficial peroneal sensory nerve conduction studies (NCSs) with expanded uncertainty in a healthy Korean population. Methods Standardized procedures were conducted for individual lower extremity NCSs of 199 healthy participants in their 20s (n=100) and 50s (n=99). Mean values and expanded uncertainties for parameters were analyzed with thorough consideration of multiple uncertainty factors under the International Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement. In addition, side-to-side differences in onset latency, amplitude, and nerve conduction velocity (NCV) were analyzed. Results Mean (reference range) for distal onset latency, baseline to negative peak amplitude, NCV of tibial motor nerve in males in their 20s were 4.3 ms (3.1–5.4 ms), 7.1 mV (3.4–10.9 mV), and 50.7 m/s (42.2–59.3 m/s), respectively; sural sensory nerve baseline to negative peak amplitude in males in their 20s was 21.7 μV (8.3–35.2 μV). Including the aforementioned data, we present a vast dataset of normative mean values and expanded uncertainties for NCSs of the leg in a healthy Korean population. Furthermore, upper limits for normal side-to-side differences for onset latency, amplitude, and NCV of each nerve are suggested. Conclusion To our knowledge, this is the first study to present the reference standards of leg NCSs with consideration for multifactorial uncertainties in an Asian population. We expect these results to help practitioners make reliable and reproducible clinical decisions. Citations Citations to this article as recorded by
Geriatric Rehabilitation
Objective
The incidence of hip fractures is increasing worldwide with the aging population, causing a challenge to healthcare systems due to the associated morbidities and high risk of mortality. After hip fractures in frail geriatric patients, existing comorbidities worsen and new complications are prone to occur. Comprehensive rehabilitation is essential for promoting physical function recovery and minimizing complications, which can be achieved through a multidisciplinary approach. Recommendations are required to assist healthcare providers in making decisions on rehabilitation post-surgery. Clinical practice guidelines regarding rehabilitation (physical and occupational therapies) and management of comorbidities/complications in the postoperative phase of hip fractures have not been developed. This guideline aimed to provide evidence-based recommendations for various treatment items required for proper recovery after hip fracture surgeries. Methods Reflecting the complex perspectives associated with rehabilitation post-hip surgeries, 15 key questions (KQs) reflecting the complex perspectives associated with post-hip surgery rehabilitation were categorized into four areas: multidisciplinary, rehabilitation, community-care, and comorbidities/complications. Relevant literature from four databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and KoreaMed) was searched for articles published up to February 2020. The evidence level and recommended grade were determined according to the grade of recommendation assessment, development, and evaluation method. Results A multidisciplinary approach, progressive resistance exercises, and balance training are strongly recommended. Early ambulation, weigh-bearing exercises, activities of daily living training, community-level rehabilitation, management of comorbidities/complication prevention, and nutritional support were also suggested. This multidisciplinary approach reduced the total healthcare cost. Conclusion This guideline presents comprehensive recommendations for the rehabilitation of adult patients after hip fracture surgery. Citations Citations to this article as recorded by
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Objective
To evaluate the current status of pain severity and quality of life (QoL) in patients with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), and to assess both their perceived needs and any unmet needs of current rehabilitation services. Methods A single-center questionnaire-based survey was conducted on 47 patients with CRPS who were diagnosed based on Budapest’s criteria. It collected demographic and clinical data, and the structured questionnaire included the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI), the Korean version of the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule II (WHODAS-K II), as well as the 5-Level EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D-5L) for measuring the QoL. Results The average value of BPI and WHODAS-K II were 7.69%±2.26% and 70.49%±19.22%, respectively. In the evaluation of their perceived needs and unmet needs for rehabilitation, patients had the highest rehabilitation needs in terms of pain (95.74%), followed by bodyaches (80.85%). Regarding their unmet needs, patients had the highest unmet needs in terms of memory impairment (83.33%), followed by weight management (72.00%). According to the regression analysis, only the overall BPI was significantly associated with QoL (p=0.01), and a higher BPI value led to poorer results for QoL. Conclusion In Korea, patients with CRPS do not receive adequate rehabilitation, and they are not satisfied with current received treatments. A more structured and individualized rehabilitation treatment plan is required to manage every aspect related to chronic pain, and provision should be made for improved care guidelines for future CRPS management. Citations Citations to this article as recorded by
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Objective
To investigate the correlation between mechanography and clinical parameters in older people at 3 and 6 months after hip fracture surgery. Methods A longitudinal follow-up study was conducted in university hospitals with 38 patients at 3 months and 29 patients at 6 months after hip fracture surgery. Subjects 65 years and older completed measurements on the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Functional Ambulation Category (FAC), walking ability by Koval, Korean version of the fatigue, resistance, ambulation, illnesses, and loss of weight (K-FRAIL) scale, and hand grip strength. The Romberg test with center of foot pressure (COP), chair rise test (CRT), and maximal power (W/kg) were conducted using the Leonardo Mechanograph. Results COP area and pathway length were correlated with BBS at 3 and 6 months. Change in BBS was correlated with change in COP area, but not with change in COP length. COP area and pathway length were correlated with K-FRAIL at 3 months after hip fracture surgery. The same COP variables showed correlations with FAC and walking ability by Koval at 6 months after surgery. Maximal power during CRT had correlation with chair rise time but not with other clinical parameters. Conclusion The study revealed correlations between mechanography and clinical parameters in older people at 3 and 6 months after hip fracture surgery. Both the clinical assessment and objective test with mechanography may be required for the quantitative and sensitive measurement of postural balance and lower limb muscle power. Citations Citations to this article as recorded by
To compare the clinical outcomes following conservative treatment and arthroscopic repair in patients with a rotator cuff tear. In this retrospective study, patients aged >50 years with a symptomatic rotator cuff tear were reviewed. The rotator cuff tendons were evaluated using ultrasonography, shoulder magnetic resonance imaging or MR arthrography, and the patients with either a high-grade partial-thickness or small-to-medium-sized (≤3 cm) full-thickness tear were included in this study. The primary outcome measures were a pain assessment score and range of motion (ROM) at 1-year follow-up. The secondary outcomes were the rate of tear progression or retear along with the rate of symptom aggravation after the treatments. A total of 357 patients were enrolled, including 183 patients that received conservative treatment and 174 patients who received an arthroscopic repair. The pain assessment score (p<0.001) and the ROM in forward flexion (p<0.001) were significantly improved in both groups. The ROM in internal rotation did not significantly change after conservative treatment and arthroscopic repair. The pain assessment score and ROM were not significantly different between the two groups. Retear was observed in 9.6% of patients who had an arthroscopic repair and tear progression was found in 6.7% of those who underwent conservative treatment. The proportion of aggravation for pain and ROM did not significantly differ between the two groups. The effectiveness of conservative treatment is not inferior to arthroscopic repair for patients >50 years old with a less than medium-sized rotator cuff tear in a 1-year follow-up period. Further study is warranted to find the optimal combination of conservative treatment for a symptomatic rotator cuff tear. Citations Citations to this article as recorded by
To examine the correlation between obesity and pulmonary function in polio survivors. This study was conducted based on a questionnaire survey and physical examination. The questionnaire included gender, age, paralyzed regions, physical activity levels, and accompanying diseases. The physical examination included measuring body mass index, waist circumference, muscle power, total fat amount, body fat percentage, and lean body mass. In addition, pulmonary function was tested based on forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), ratio of FEV1 to FVC, and chest circumference. Five university hospitals and a local health clinic participated in this study. Pearson and partial correlation coefficients that used data collected from 73 polio survivors showed that obesity had a negative correlation with pulmonary function. This study found that pulmonary function has a negative correlation with obesity for polio survivors. Therefore, it is necessary to develop specialized exercise programs to help polio survivors reduce their weight and strengthen their respiratory muscles. Citations Citations to this article as recorded by
Aging has become an important topic for scientific research because life expectancy and the number of men and women in older age groups have increased dramatically in the last century. This is true in most countries of the world including the Republic of Korea and the United States. From a rehabilitation perspective, the most important associated issue is a progressive decline in functional capacity and independence. Sarcopenia is partly responsible for this decline. Many changes underlying the loss of muscle mass and force-generating capacity of skeletal muscle can be understood at the cellular and molecular levels. Muscle size and architecture are both altered with advanced adult age. Further, changes in myofibers include impairments in several physiological domains including muscle fiber activation, excitation-contraction coupling, actin-myosin cross-bridge interaction, energy production, and repair and regeneration. A thorough understanding of these alterations can lead to the design of improved preventative and rehabilitative interventions, such as personalized exercise training programs. Citations Citations to this article as recorded by
To obtain information on the socioeconomic, medical, and functional status of polio survivors, and to use these results as the preliminary data for establishing the middle-aged cohort of polio survivors. The subjects were recruited based on the medical records of multiple hospitals and centers. They were assessed through a structured questionnaire over the phone. Post-poliomyelitis syndrome (PPS) was identified according to the specified diagnostic criteria. Differences between polio survivors with or without PPS were evaluated, and the risk factors for PPS were analyzed by the odds ratio (OR). Majority of polio survivors were middle-aged and mean age was 51.2±8.3 years. A total of 188 out of 313 polio survivors met the adopted criteria for PPS based on the symptoms, yielding a prevalence of 61.6%. Mean interval between acute poliomyelitis and the development of PPS was 38.5±11.6 years. Female gender (OR 1.82; confidence interval [CI] 1.09-3.06), the age at onset of poliomyelitis (OR 1.75; CI 1.05-2.94), the use of orthoses or walking aids (OR 2.46; CI 1.44-4.20), and the history of medical treatment for paralysis, pain or gait disturbance (OR 2.62; CI 1.52-4.51) represented independent risk factors for PPS. We found that the majority of Korean polio survivors entered middle age with many medical, functional, and social problems. Female gender, early age of onset of poliomyelitis, the use of orthoses or walking aids, and the history of medical treatment for paralysis, pain or gait disturbance were identified as the significant risk factors for PPS. A comprehensive and multidisciplinary plan should be prepared to manage polio survivors considering their need for health care services and the risk factors for late effects, such as PPS. Citations Citations to this article as recorded by
Early diagnosis and treatment of heterotopic ossification (HO) is essential to the prevention of complications. It is difficult to diagnose HO in its initial phase because non-specific clinical manifestations, laboratory findings and imaging findings of immature HO may mimic other diseases such as cellulitis, osteomyelitis, thrombophlebitis, deep vein thrombosis and local infection with abscess. We experienced two cases of HO, which were misdiagnosed as pyomyositis at first by clinical signs and MRI findings indicating the deep infection; the extensive intramuscular ossification appeared later on. We observed an increase of C-reactive protein and creatine kinase followed by the elevation of alkaline phosphatase with abnormal triphasic bone scan. The trajectory of these biomarkers was analyzed to get more insight into the early stages of HO along with the imaging findings. Although our cases cannot be generalized as typical of immature HO, they clearly demonstrate that the change of specific biomarkers with a careful history taking and physical examination should be noted to detect HO as early as possible while avoiding confusion with other mimicking conditions. Citations Citations to this article as recorded by
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