Generalized Anxiety and Major Depressive Symptoms of General Public in South Korea during the Early COVID-19 Pandemic

The extent of viral spread and strategies in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic have been different in each country.There are overall increased mental health concerns in many countries but it is unclear what the general public individuals who do not have heighten vulnerability to stressors for existing mental diseases or significant physical illnesses were experiencing during the pandemic.We evaluated the stressors and mental health of general public in South Korea that has a relatively low confirmed cases and deaths.Responses on the on-line survey questions were used to assess the mental and physical symptoms in association with individuals’reported stressors.Individuals with the symptoms of the generalized anxiety disorder(GAD)were reported in 58.9%,and major depression(MD)in 23.2%,mostly in minimal to mild degrees,cut-off scores of 5 and 10,respectively by the validated screening tools,GAD-7 and PHQ-9.Both GAD and MD symptoms were in 21.5%of the respondents.The total number of stress had significant association with the scores of GAD-7,PHQ-9,physical symptoms,sleep difficulties and resilience(p<0.01).GAD scores were also associated with sleep difficulties(p<0.01)and raising young children(p<0.05).MD scores were associated with sleep difficulties,job-dissatisfaction,and educational level(p<0.05).The limitations of the study include small sample size,usage of smartphone or email,potential under-reporting by stigma in the socio-cultural context and evolving nature of pandemic.We conclude that keeping careful watch for mental symptoms,stressors,sleep difficulties and other physical symptoms are important even for the individuals without previous mental illnesses during the pandemic era.

Spa therapy relieves knee and shoulder pain:a randomized controlled trial

Objective:To study the effect of spa therapy on relieving knee and shoulder pain.Methods:Participants were randomized to an intervention group(n=26)or a control group(n=23).The intervention group received the hot spring intervention program(1-2 times a day for two weeks),while the control group didn’t receive any intervention.Primary outcomes were assessed by the Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index(WOMAC)and Shoulder Pain and Disability Index(SPADI).Secondary outcomes were assessed by general physical symptoms and Short Form-36(SF-36)health survey.Results:All parameters before intervention were homogenous between the groups.At baseline,there was no significant difference in WOMAC and SPADI index between the two groups,but there was a statistically significant difference in blurred vision,which was worse in the intervention group than in the control group(P<0.05).After intervention,general physical symptoms were relieved significantly in the intervention group compared with the control group(P<0.05).WOMAC index,SPADI index,social functioning,and general physical symptoms were relieved significantly after intervention in the intervention group(P<0.05).There is a significant difference in the blurred vision before and after the comparison of the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion:Spa therapy may relieve knee and shoulder pain and improve general physical symptoms and quality of life.

Can Be Done Better for the Diagnosis of Non-Differentiated Diseases in Community Hospital?

General Practice is a comprehensive subject with a wide spectrum of diseases. It is challenging to make a more correct diagnosis timely and reasonable treatment with the least instrument examination for the diagnosis of medically unexplained physical symptoms (MUPS). This article reviews the case report of a patient who presented to a community hospital with a one-month history of constant diffuse abdominal pain and underwent eight weeks of examinations, finally experienced deterioration of their condition. Based on this case, this article discusses the problems in the diagnosis of abdominal pain in a community hospital, and according to the clinical thinking mode and checklist of abdominal pain, the diagnostic process of abdominal pain can be improved, and the diagnosis of non-differentiated diseases can be done better, the harm caused by delayed diagnosis may be reduced.