Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science

Original articles

Pharmacology, Drug Therapy, and Toxicology
Characteristics and risk factors of serious adverse drug reactions in older patients using the Korea Adverse Event Reporting System data: a retrospective observational study: Minkyung Oh; J Yeungnam Med Sci. 2025;42:66. Published online October 22, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.12701/jyms.2025.42.66

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Abstract PDF: Background
Older adults are vulnerable to adverse drug reactions (ADRs) owing to physiological changes, comorbidities, and polypharmacy. Nationwide evidence in Korean is limited. This study aimed to describe the characteristics of ADRs and identify the risk factors for serious outcomes using the Korea Adverse Event Reporting System (KAERS).
Methods
KAERS reports from 2005 to 2015 were analyzed. Eligible cases were patients aged ≥65 years with causality assessed as certain, probable, or possible for orally administered drug. Serious ADRs were defined according to International Conference on Harmonization E2A and World Health Organization-Uppsala Monitoring Centre criteria. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, logistic regression, and disproportionality analyses were performed.
Results
Of the 889,997 ADR reports, 118,023 involved older patients (mean age 73.6 years; 57.9% female). Organ disorders included gastrointestinal, skin, and nervous system disorders. The common drug classes were analgesics, antimicrobials, and antituberculosis drugs. Overall, 6.1% of ADRs were serious, mainly involving the hepatic and biliary systems, respiratory, and bleeding/coagulopathy. The highest proportions of serious ADRs involved antineoplastic and antithrombotic agents. In multivariable analysis, male sex was independently associated with serious outcomes (adjusted odds ratio, 1.33; 95% confidence interval, 1.24–1.43), while age group was not. Disproportionality analysis identified notable drug-organ class signals, including antimicrobials associated with application site disorders and antineoplastic agents associated with disorders.
Conclusion
Serious ADRs comprised 6.1% of reports in older Koreans. Antineoplastic and antithrombotic agents were strongly associated with serious outcomes and male sex was an independent risk factor. These results indicate a need for safer prescriptions and improved pharmacovigilance for older patients.

Psychiatry and Mental Health
The characteristics of elderly suicidal attempters in the emergency department in Korea: a retrospective study: Ji-Seon Jang, Wan-Seok Seo, Bon-Hoon Koo, Hey-Geum Kim, Seok-Ho Yun, So-Hey Jo, Dae-Seok Bai, Young-Gyo Kim, Eun-Jin Cheon; J Yeungnam Med Sci. 2024;41(1):30-38. Published online December 29, 2023; DOI: https://doi.org/10.12701/jyms.2023.01004

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Background
Although Korea ranks first in the suicide rate of elderly individuals, there is limited research on those who attempt suicide, with preventive measures largely based on population-based studies. We compared the demographic and clinical characteristics of elderly individuals who attempted suicide with those of younger adults who visited the emergency department after suicide attempts and identified the factors associated with lethality in the former group.
Methods
Individuals who visited the emergency department after a suicide attempt from April 1, 2017, to January 31, 2020, were included. Participants were classified into two groups according to age (elderly, ≥65 years; adult, 18–64 years). Among the 779 adult patients, 123 were elderly. We conducted a chi-square test to compare the demographic and clinical features between these groups and a logistic regression analysis to identify the risk factors for lethality in the elderly group.
Results
Most elderly participants were men, with no prior psychiatric history or suicide attempts, and had a higher prevalence of underlying medical conditions and attributed their attempts to physical illnesses. Being sober and planning suicide occurred more frequently in this group. In the elderly group, factors that increased the mortality rate were biological male sex (p<0.05), being accompanied by family members (p<0.05), and poisoning as a suicide method (p<0.01).
Conclusion
Suicide attempts in elderly individuals have different characteristics from those in younger adults and are associated with physical illness. Suicides in the former group are unpredictable, deliberate, and fatal. Therefore, tailored prevention and intervention strategies addressing the characteristics of those who are elderly and attempt suicide are required.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Effectiveness of the Loving Life TokTok 65+ Program for Suicide Prevention Education for the Elderly
Jae Sang Lee, Eun Seok Kim, Kkotdawoon Han, Su Kyong Song, Young-Eun Jung
Journal of Korean Neuropsychiatric Association.2026; 65(1): 44. CrossRef
Poisoning in the elderly is increasing rapidly and is more severe than younger patients
Geoffrey K. Isbister, Michael A. Downes, Kylie McArdle, Shane Jenkins, Caitlyn Lovett, Ingrid Berling
Clinical Toxicology.2026; : 1. CrossRef
Analysis of suicide cases in post-mortem examination files of the Department of Forensic Medicine at the Medical University of Białystok in the years 2016-2021 = Analiza samobójstw w materiale sekcyjnym Zakładu Medycyny Sądowej Uniwersytetu Medycznego w B
Anna Francuziak, Paulina Kulasza, Kinga Kozłowska, Julia Janica, Urszula Cwalina, Anna Niemcunowicz-Janica, Michał Szeremeta
Archives of Forensic Medicine and Criminology.2024; 74(2): 106. CrossRef

Nephrology
Association of advanced chronic kidney disease with diabetic retinopathy severity in older patients with diabetes: a retrospective cross-sectional study: Geun Woo Lee, Chul Ho Lee, Seong Gyu Kim; J Yeungnam Med Sci. 2023;40(2):146-155. Published online May 26, 2022; DOI: https://doi.org/10.12701/jyms.2022.00206

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Abstract PDF

Background
Despite the recent increasing trend in the prevalence of type 2 diabetes among older individuals, the relationship between diabetic retinopathy (DR) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) in these patients remains unclear. This study investigated the severity of renal dysfunction according to the degree of DR in older patients with type 2 diabetes.
Methods
A total of 116 patients with diabetes and CKD stage ≥3 who visited both the nephrology and ophthalmology outpatient departments between July 2021 and January 2022 were screened. There were 53 patients in the no DR group, 20 in the nonproliferative DR (NPDR) group, and 43 in the proliferative DR (PDR) group.
Results
DR severity was related to the deterioration of renal function. The proportion of patients with advanced CKD significantly increased with DR severity (p for trend <0.001). In the multivariate regression model adjusted for age of ≥80 years, male sex, poorly controlled diabetes, macroalbuminuria, insulin use, diabetes duration of ≥10 years, cerebrovascular accident, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and cardiovascular disease history, the odds ratio compared with the no DR group was approximately 4.6 for the NPDR group and approximately 11.8 for the PDR group, which were both statistically significant (p=0.025 and p<0.001, respectively).
Conclusion
DR severity in older patients with diabetes may be associated with deterioration of renal function and high prevalence of advanced CKD. Therefore, periodic examination for DR in older patients with diabetes is important for predicting renal function deterioration and CKD progression.

Citations

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Development and validation of a model that predicts the risk of diabetic kidney disease in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients: a retrospective study
Zhiling Deng, Jian Yang, Hairong Zhou
Frontiers in Endocrinology.2026;[Epub] CrossRef
Association of Albumin‐To‐Creatinine Ratio With Diabetic Retinopathy Among US Adults (NHANES 2009–2016)
Han Dai, Ling Liu, Weiwei Xu
Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Complications and Comorbidities in Individuals >80 Years with Diabetes: A Scoping Review
Christian Ward-Bradley, Adam Erwin, Tunde Peto, Laura N. Cushley, Katie Curran
Diabetology.2025; 6(12): 152. CrossRef
Diabetic Macular Edema Is Predictive of Renal Failure in Patients With Diabetes Mellitus and Chronic Kidney Disease
Shih-Hsiang Ou, Wei-Che Chang, Ling-Ying Wu, Shiow-Ing Wang, James Cheng-Chung Wei, Po-Tsang Lee
The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.2024; 109(3): 761. CrossRef
Study on Correlation between Renal Function and Diabetic Retinopathy
卓越郑
Advances in Clinical Medicine.2024; 14(03): 513. CrossRef
Evaluating the potential of retinal photography in chronic kidney disease detection: a review
Nur Asyiqin Amir Hamzah, Wan Mimi Diyana Wan Zaki, Wan Haslina Wan Abdul Halim, Ruslinda Mustafar, Assyareefah Hudaibah Saad
PeerJ.2024; 12: e17786. CrossRef
The Pathophysiology and Vascular Complications of Diabetes in Chronic Kidney Disease: A Comprehensive Review
Wilhelmina N Hauwanga, Tibyan Y Abdalhamed , Lynda A Ezike, Ifeoma S Chukwulebe, Aung Ko Oo, Amal Wilfred, Abdul Rahman Anuz Khan A Khan, Johnny Chukwuwike, Edisond FLORIAL, Habeebah Lawan, Asaju Felix, Billy McBenedict
Cureus.2024;[Epub] CrossRef

Urology
Pelvic floor muscle exercise with biofeedback helps regain urinary continence after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy: Yeong Uk Kim, Dong Gyu Lee, Young Hwii Ko; Yeungnam Univ J Med. 2021;38(1):39-46. Published online June 22, 2020; DOI: https://doi.org/10.12701/yujm.2020.00276

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Abstract PDF

Background
To determine the benefit of pelvic floor muscle exercise with visual biofeedback on promoting patient recovery from incontinence, we investigated variables associated with the early restoration of continence for patients who underwent robot-assisted radical prostatectomy.
Methods
Of the 83 patients enrolled, 41 consecutive patients completed pelvic floor muscle exercise (the exercise group), and the other 42 consecutive patients just before the pelvic floor muscle exercise program commenced (the control group). The primary outcome was whether pelvic floor muscle exercise engagement was associated with zero pad continence restoration within 3 months of surgery.
Results
Continence restoration percentages (defined as zero pads used per day) at 1, 3, and 6 months after surgery were 49.4%, 77.1%, and 94.0%, respectively. The exercise group achieved significantly higher recovery rates at 1 month (p=0.037), 3 months (p<0.001), and 6 months (p=0.023). Cox regression analysis demonstrated that a lower Gleason score (<8; hazard ratio, 2.167), lower prostate specific antigen (<20 ng/dL; hazard ratio, 2.909), and engagement in pelvic floor muscle exercise (hazard ratio, 3.731) were independent predictors of early recovery from postprostatectomy incontinence. Stratification by age showed that those younger than 65 years did not benefit significantly from exercise (log-rank test, p=0.08), but that their elderly counterparts, aged 65–70 years (p=0.007) and >70 years old (p=0.002) benefited significantly.
Conclusion
This study suggests that postoperative engagement in pelvic floor muscle exercise with biofeedback speeds up the recovery of continence in elderly patients (≥65 years old) that undergo robot-assisted radical prostatectomy.

Citations

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3D Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy: The Romolo Hospital Experience
Jacopo Lauria, Giulio Zappalà, Flavio Calogero Sidoti, Gianluca Scarpelli, Antonio Greco, Vincenzo Andracchio, Francesco Chiaradia, Alberto Piana, Stefano Alba
Journal of Laparoendoscopic & Advanced Surgical Techniques.2026; 36(5): 341. CrossRef
Recovery of urinary continence after neoadjuvant hormonal therapy plus radical prostatectomy: A multicenter retro-prospective cohort study with propensity score matching
Zhongqing Zhang, Jiaxi Mi, Tong Lu, Yuwen Wang, Yu Chen, Shujun Liu, Jiajun Qian, Shun Zhang, Xuefeng Qiu, Yao Fu, Linfeng Xu, Shaohao Chen, Jianhao Wu, Yun Jin, Hongqian Guo, Weidong Gan, Junlong Zhuang
Asian Journal of Urology.2026;[Epub] CrossRef
Urinary incontinence rehabilitation of after radical prostatectomy: a systematic review and network meta-analysis
Kai Yu, Fan Bu, Tengteng Jian, Zejun Liu, Rui Hu, Sunmeng Chen, Ji Lu
Frontiers in Oncology.2024;[Epub] CrossRef
Factors influencing engagement in pelvic floor muscle exercise following radical prostatectomy: A scoping review
Yousef Qan'ir, Lixin Song, Kathleen Knafl, Paschal Sheeran, Hung‐Jui Tan, Mohammed Shahait, Ahmad AL‐Sagarat
International Journal of Urological Nursing.2024;[Epub] CrossRef
Pelvic floor muscle training in men with post-prostatectomy urinary incontinence: a scoping review
Jackelline Evellin Moreira dos Santos, Virginia Visconde Brasil, Cissa Azevedo, Lívia Cristina de Resende Izidoro, Anna Julia Guimarães Batista, André Carlos Santos Ferreira, Luciana Regina Ferreira da Mata
Revista Latino-Americana de Enfermagem.2024;[Epub] CrossRef
Entrenamiento de los músculos del piso pélvico en hombres con incontinencia urinaria post prostatectomía: revisión de alcance
Jackelline Evellin Moreira dos Santos, Virginia Visconde Brasil, Cissa Azevedo, Lívia Cristina de Resende Izidoro, Anna Julia Guimarães Batista, André Carlos Santos Ferreira, Luciana Regina Ferreira da Mata
Revista Latino-Americana de Enfermagem.2024;[Epub] CrossRef
Treinamento dos músculos do assoalho pélvico em homens com incontinência urinária pós-prostatectomia: revisão do escopo
Jackelline Evellin Moreira dos Santos, Virginia Visconde Brasil, Cissa Azevedo, Lívia Cristina de Resende Izidoro, Anna Julia Guimarães Batista, André Carlos Santos Ferreira, Luciana Regina Ferreira da Mata
Revista Latino-Americana de Enfermagem.2024;[Epub] CrossRef
Single Session Pre-Operative Pelvic Floor Muscle Training with Biofeedback on Urinary Incontinence and Quality of Life after Radical Prostatectomy
Mohammad-Hatef Khorrami, Amir Mohseni, Farshad Gholipour, Farshid Alizadeh, Mahtab Zargham, Mohammad-Hossein Izadpanahi, Mehrdad Mohammadi Sichani, Farbod Khorrami
Urological Science.2023; 34(1): 23. CrossRef
Effect of Kegel exercises on the prevention of urinary and fecal incontinence in patients with prostate cancer undergoing radiotherapy
A.E. Urvaylıoğlu, S. Kutlutürkan, D. Kılıç
European Journal of Oncology Nursing.2021; 51: 101913. CrossRef

Public Health, Environmental, and Occupational Health
Factors that determine the Work Ability Index of street cleaners: Jung Won Kim, Seonhee Yang, Insung Chung, Mi-Young Lee; Yeungnam Univ J Med. 2019;36(3):219-224. Published online May 9, 2019; DOI: https://doi.org/10.12701/yujm.2019.00199

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Abstract PDF

Background
Korea has shown a rapid pace of aging and has become an aged society in a shorter period than Western countries. Therefore, it is important that middle-aged workers maintain their ability to work in the industrial field at the maximum level while maintaining their health. The purpose of this study was to analyze the factors affecting work ability and to use this data to maintain the working ability of middle-aged workers in the future.
Methods
From 2015 to 2017, we surveyed 371 street cleaners who visited a health center for health promotion in a metropolitan city. The relationship between the general characteristics of the survey subjects and the Work Ability Index (WAI) was confirmed by a univariate analysis. Statistically significant (p<0.2) factors were selected and a multiple linear regression analysis was conducted with WAI scores as a dependent variable.
Results
Age, body mass index, body fat percentage, the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Korea (AUDIT-K) scores, the Psychosocial Well-Being Index-Short Form (PWI-SF) scores, maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max), and hypertension showed statistically significant correlations with the WAI in the univariate analysis. In the multivariate analysis, the VO2max, AUDIT-K scores, and PWI-SF scores were included in the regression equation. VO2max had the greatest effect on the standardization coefficient indicating the relative contribution of independent variables, followed by the AUDIT-K scores and the PWI-SF scores.
Conclusion
Programs to increase workers’ physical work ability and alleviate psychosocial stress and drinking habits should be developed and implemented in the future.

Citations

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The Work Ability Index (WAI) in the Healthcare Sector: A Cross-Sectional/Retrospective Assessment of the Questionnaire
Nicola Magnavita, Igor Meraglia, Giacomo Viti, Lorenzo Borghese
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.2024; 21(3): 349. CrossRef
Emotional and Work-Related Factors in the Self-Assessment of Work Ability among Italian Healthcare Workers
Nicola Magnavita, Igor Meraglia, Carlo Chiorri
Healthcare.2024; 12(17): 1731. CrossRef
Magnitude and possible risk factors of musculoskeletal disorders among street cleaners and solid waste workers: a cross-sectional study
Melkamu Alie, Yohannes Abich, Solomon Fasika Demissie, Fkrte Kebede Weldetsadik, Tesfa Kassa, Kassaw Belay Shiferaw, Balamurugan Janakiraman, Yohannes Awoke Assefa
BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders.2023;[Epub] CrossRef
Psychometric Properties of the Work Ability Index in Health Centre Workers in Spain
Inmaculada Mateo Rodríguez, Emily Caitlin Lily Knox, Coral Oliver Hernández, Antonio Daponte Codina
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.2021; 18(24): 12988. CrossRef

Original Articles

Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine
Comparision of signal - averaged electrocardiography (SAECG) determined by flank lead system (FLS) and pyramidal lead system (PLS) in healthy young adults.: Byeong Ik Jang, Seung Ho Kang, Hyeung Il Kim, Dong Gu Sin, Young Jo Kim, Bong Sup Shim, Hyun Woo Lee; Yeungnam Univ J Med. 1993;10(1):179-189. Published online June 30, 1993; DOI: https://doi.org/10.12701/yujm.1993.10.1.179

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Abstract PDF: It has recently become possible to record electrical activity originationg from abnormally conducting myocardium from the body surface with high-gain amplification and averaging technique. These signals, which result from delayed ventricular activation(late potentials), have been recorded in patients with documented ventricular tachyarrythmia. Several electrode lead system for detecting ventricular late potential were introduced. Pyramidal electrode lead system(PLS) is useful. Also interpretation of SAECG in the young could be of value in detecting those at risk for episodic ventricular tachycardia, but suffer from a lack of data in normal young people. There was no difference between normal values, determined by FLS and PLS at high pass filtering of 25 Hz and 80 Hz, but significant, difference was found in HFLAD and RMS-40 of 40 Hz (p<0.05). These results will provide a basis for interpretations of SAECG, determined by FLS and PLS in healthy young adults with normal QRS duration. SELECTION OF SUBJECTS: For this study, normal healthy young adult volunteers (age : mean 24 years) were recruited from the medical students at Yeungnam University Hospital, Internal Medicine. Twenty fourths male and seventeenths female subjects were selected. All subjects had normal resting ECGs as judged from both the standard 12 channel lead and echocardiography, and none had a history of cardiovascular disease. All subjects were considered to be in good general physical condition. SIGNAL-AVERAGED ELECTROCARDIOGRAPHY: In order to obtain low noise recordings with a small number of averaging cycles, all subject ware asked to relax completely in the supine position. Silver/silver chloride electrodes were attached after the skin was cleaned with alcohol, to constitute classic flank lead system(FLS) and pyramidal lead system(PLS). Signals were recorded and processed using a commercially available microprocessor-augmented ECG cart(Marquette Electronics, USA) suitable for portable bedside recording.

Psychiatry and Mental Health
Comparison of the depression and anxiety between the elderly in the home for the aged and those in the community.: Hyo Seok Seo, Sung Duk Jung, Chang Su Kim; Yeungnam Univ J Med. 1992;9(2):256-268. Published online December 31, 1992; DOI: https://doi.org/10.12701/yujm.1992.9.2.256

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Abstract PDF

This survey was conducted from January 1991 to May 1991. Two hundred and eight residents in 4 government supported homes for the aged and hundred and eleven living in the community in Taegu, Korea, were examined to evaluate the depression and the anxiety of the aged with combined anxiety and depression scale (CADS) and somatization symptom check list (SCL). There are no significant differences between residents in the home for the aged and those living in the community on the total scores of CADS and SCL. However, in the case of the total score of CADS of the female subjects in the home for the aged were significantly higher than those of the community residents. The elderly in the home for the aged tended to have pure depression, while community residents were likely to have anxiety and depression. Fifty-two subjects of home for the aged and sixty-nine of the community scored over 50 points of CADS, which indicates considerable depression or anxiety. In psychosocial factors, the subjects who in the following situations had statistically significant higher scores than others. The results were as follow. Poor health, unhappiness, unsatisfaction to the past occupation, pessimistic thought in future view for both group and unsatisfaction of the relationship with familiar people for the elderly in the community. The SCL scores of two groups subgrouped by under 49 and 50 on CADS showed significant differences between each subgroup on all of the SCL items. It could be suggested that somatic symptoms for the aged is a sign of depression.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Factors Influencing Depression among Elderly Patients in Geriatric Hospitals
Young Ju Jee, Yun Bok Lee
Journal of Physical Therapy Science.2013; 25(11): 1445. CrossRef

Psychiatry and Mental Health
A Study of Depression Observed Among The Eledrly Residing in Home For The Aged In Korea.: Byung Tak Park, Jong Bum Lee, Jung Hoon Lee, Seung Douk Cheung; Yeungnam Univ J Med. 1990;7(2):79-87. Published online December 31, 1990; DOI: https://doi.org/10.12701/yujm.1990.7.2.79

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Abstract PDF: Using Zung's self-rating depression scale, the authors studied depression in 310 elderlies residing in the 9 home for the aged (HFA) in Kyungbuk area, and 234 elderlies living in Taegu city and 107 elderlies attending a Life-long education program in Taegu, which serve as a control group, Community resident elderlies (CRE). The research had been administered during the period from June to August, 1986. The results were as follows: 1. The mean scores of male, female, and the total of the elderlies in HFA were 38.95±11.55, 44.18±14.15, and 42.8±13.7 respectively while CRE marked 40.8±11.3 for male, 45.2±12.0 for female, and 43.4±11.9 for the total. Therefore there were significant differences between male and female in both groups (<0.01, p<0.001), though no significant difference between the two groups. However, the depression score of elderlies in HFA might be much higher than that of CRE if 81 elderlies (14.2%) in HFA who had been left out of the statistical evaluation due to their having severe depression, organic brain syndrome, or pseudoementia, etc had been included. 2. The score distribution by items for the elderlies in HFA were from highest scores hopelessness, worthlessness, emptiness, decreased appetite, confusion, while for CRE, hopelessness, decreased appetite, psychomotor retardation, indecisiveness, and worthlessness, Elderlies in HFA showed significantly high scores in depressed mood, weight loss, suicidal rumination (ideation) and psychomotor excitement, while CRE showed significantly high scores in decreased appetite, psychomotor retardation, indecisiveness, and dissatisfaction. 3. Elderlies who scored over 50 numbered 10 males (16%), 57 females (34%), and total of 67 (29%) in HFA and 28 male (21%), 77 females (37%), and total of 105 (31%) in CRE: female showed higher seores in both groups. 4. Psychococial factors such as getting older (respectively p<0.01, p<0.01), being Buddhist (respectively p<0.01, p<0.01), and monthly pocket money less than ₩30,000 (respectively p<0.001, p<0.001) were found to have a noticeable impact on the depression level of the elderlies in both groups. Factors such as illiteracy (p<0.001), monthly pocket money less than ₩10,000 (p<0.05), and having no family (p<0.01) recorded significantly higher scores among CRE than the elderlies in HFA.

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