The evidence for the effectiveness of RG in controlling glucose in type 2 DM is not convincing. Few included studies with various treatment regimens prohibit definitive conclusions. More rigorous studies are needed to clarify the effects of RG on this condition.

ObjectiveAcupuncture systematic reviewers have increasingly searched Chinese databases and journals to identify eligible randomised clinical trials (RCTs). However, reviewers have infrequently searched for eligible RCTs in Korean databases and journals. This study aimed to identify difficult to locate acupuncture RCTs in Korean databases and journals and to assess the characteristics and quality of the identified RCTs.MethodsEleven electronic databases and seven journals were searched up to December 2012. All RCTs using needle acupuncture were considered for inclusion. Key study characteristics were extracted and risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration tool.ResultsOne hundred and forty-three publications met our inclusion criteria. Acupuncture RCTs in the Korean literature emerged in the mid-1990s and increased in the mid-2000s. Diverse methods of acupuncture were used, including some methods unique to Korea (eg, Saam acupuncture). The largest proportion of trials evaluated acupuncture for musculoskeletal conditions (27.3%). The mean sample size was 44.3±25.3 per trial. Random sequence generation methods were reported in 44.8% of the RCTs, whereas only 11.9% reported methods of allocation concealment. A low proportion of trials reported participant blinding (32.9%) and outcome assessment blinding (18.9%).ConclusionsKorean acupuncture trials, many of which evaluate acupuncture styles unique to Korea, are typically omitted from systematic reviews of acupuncture, resulting in the potential for language bias. The development of this database of difficult to locate Korean trials, which includes English language translations of abstracts, will enable these trials of varying quality to be assessed for inclusion in future acupuncture systematic reviews.

Syndrome pattern (SP) is a core concept of Chinese medicine (CM) and is used to diagnose and treat patients based on an overall analysis of symptoms and signs. This study aimed to systematically review randomized controlled trials (RCTs) using the SP concept and to demonstrate how the SP concept could be applied to the study design of parallel RCTs, considering a gold standard of clinical research. After conducting a brief systematic review by way of a PubMed search, we analyzed how the SP concept was applied to the design of RCT in a CM herbal medicine trial. We then formulated possible research questions, applied the SP concept to answer the research questions, and suggested possible RCT designs to be used for conducting future trials. Fourteen RCTs were included in our systematic review, and three key points of the SP concept were formulated for the design of parallel RCTs: the time point of SP diagnosis between before and after randomization; the relationship between the international classification of diseases (ICD) and SP for the inclusion of target population; and the proper diagnostic method of SP. In this study, we formulated three possible research questions and then suggested perspectives for five possible RCT models arrived at using SP concepts. Future trials applying SP concept to RCTs should overcome the shortcomings of past SP trials, moving CM forward from experience-based to evidence-based medicine.

BackgroundFacial palsy is known to have correlations with low level of quality of life. However, little is known about the association between preference based health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and paralytic side of facial palsy.MethodsThis study used Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES, 2008–2012) data, only when the facial palsy examination had been included in the survey contents. Hierarchical regression analyses were used to obtain optimal regression coefficients in the association between paralytic side of the facial palsy and HRQoL measured by EuroQoL-5 Dimension (EQ-5D). We also analyzed the association between the deteriorated domains of EQ-5D and facial palsy in both subgroups by using multiple logistic regression models.ResultsWe included the data of 28,106 participants aged ≥19 years who were examined as facial palsy according to House-Brackmann score and completed EQ-5D questionnaire in KNHANES 2008–2012. The mean EQ-5D score was significantly low and percentages of deteriorated numbers in its domains were significantly high in facial palsy group.ConclusionsThese results show that, after adjusting for confounding variables, left facial palsy is associated with impaired HRQoL compared with right-sided palsy. Among the domains of EQ-5D, only ‘self-care’ domain was directly affected by the disease in left facial palsy patients. These findings could be used in developing model and conducting analyses of economic evaluation about facial palsy interventions.

Unique dual medical system in Korea has resulted in the emergence of dual-licensed medical doctors (DLMDs) who have both traditional Korean medicine (KM) and Western medicine (WM) licenses. There have been few studies on DLMDs in spite of their growing number and importance within the medical system. We surveyed the current status and attitudes of DLMD to assess their role in integrative medicine. Questionnaires were administered to the members of the association of DLMD. Data from 103 DLMD were collected and statistically analyzed. 41.4% of DLMD were copracticing both WM and KM at a single clinic, preferring the WM approach for physical examinations, laboratory tests, and education for patients—and the KM approach for treatment and prescription. Musculoskeletal, gastroenterologic, and allergic diseases were considered to be effectively treated with co-practice. DLMD highly agreed on the efficiency of copractice for disease control and patients' satisfaction. On the other hand, they regarded the lack of health insurance coverage for copractice and increased medical expenditure as major problems in providing co-practice. To expand the role of DLMD as mediators of integration in primary health care, the effectiveness of their co-practice should be evaluated and a corresponding health insurance reimbursement system should be established.