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Background: In order to promote the dignity of terminal patients, and improve end-of-life care (EOL care) in Korea, consensus guidelines to the withdrawal of life-sustaining therapies (LST) were published in October, 2009. The aim of this study was to assess the current perception of the guideline among internal medicine residents and to identify barriers to the application of the guidelines.Methods: The study was designed prospectively on the basis of data from e-mail survey. We surveyed 98 medical residents working in 19 medical centers.Results: 75.5% of respondents agreed with withdrawing (WD) of LST and 33.3% (33/98) of respondents were unaware of the guideline. Although 58.1% of all respondents had taken an EOL care class in medical school, about 30% of residents did feel uncomfortable with communicating with patients and surrogates. The most important obstacle for decision of WD of LST was the resident's psychological stress. 39.8% of medical residents felt guilty or failure after a patient's death, and 41.8% became often or always depressed in a patient's dying.Conclusions: In order to protect and enhance the dignity and atitonomy of terminal patients, the improvement of the medical training program in the hospitals and the tnore concern of educational leaders are urgent.

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Purpose : We investigated the risk factors related to the development and aggravation of allergic rhinitis, which is associated with residential environment and lifestyle habits of children residing in Incheon.Methods : A total of 182 children diagnosed with moderate to severe allergic rhinitis and 67 healthy children were enrolled. A detailed questionnaire of the environmental characteristics and the dietary habits were completed by the parents. Further, skin prick tests with 14 common allergens were performed.Results : The mean age of the children with allergic rhinitis and healthy control was 8.2±2.8 and 9.4±2.0 years, respectively. The presence of indoor mold was associated with an increased risk of development of allergic rhinitis. (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 4.26; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.96-9.27) Among the food groups, there was no significant difference of the daily intake of milk and yogurt between the patients and the controls. However, daily intake of vegetables, except Kimchi, and daily intake of fruits or fruit juice were associated with a decreased risk of allergic rhinitis. (aOR, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.43; 95% CI, respectively) Conclusion :The results indicate that an indoor dampness is one of the risk factors of development and aggravation of allergic rhinitis. Control of indoor humidity and daily intake of fruits and vegetables can prevent the development and control symptoms of allergic rhinitis. [Pediatr Allergy Respir Dis(Korea) 2012;22:100-109]