Introduction: Dermatomyositis is a rare idiopathic inflammatory myopathy with distinctive cutaneous manifestations. This study aims to determine the demographic characteristics, clinical features and associated malignancies in patients with dermatomyositis. Materials & Methods: Dermatomyositis is a rare idiopathic inflammatory myopathy with distinctive cutaneous manifestations. This study aims to determine the demographic characteristics, clinical features and associated malignancies in patients with dermatomyositis. Results: Forty-three cases were identified, with female to male ratio of 1.26:1. Mean age of onset was 47.8 +18.0 years. Malay and Chinese patients made up the bulk of the patients, contributing 53.5% and 44.2% respectively. Photosensitive rash was the commonest clinical presentation, occurring in 55.8% of the patients, followed by Gottron’s papules (46.5%), heliotrope rash (44.2%), alopecia (23.3%) and calcinosis (9.3%). Median Creatinine Kinase level was 293IU/L (interquartile range 89-1166), Lactate Dehydrogenase 641IU/L (interquartile range 459-986) and Aspartate Transaminase 70.5IU/L (interquartile range 41.5-156.25). Concomitant malignancies occurred in 14 patients (32.5%), the commonest being nasopharyngeal carcinoma (6 patients), followed by gastrointestinal tumours (3 patients), breast cancer (2 patients) and lymphoproliferative disorders (2 patients) and lung cancer (1 patient). Of these 14 patients, malignancies were detected in 10 patients within the first year, and 2 patients within the second year after diagnosis of DM. Two patients had malignancies diagnosed within 6 months prior to the diagnosis of DM. Malignancy accounts for 64.7% of the 17 mortalities recorded. The proportion of Malay patients with paraneoplastic dermatomyositis with respect to the total number of Malay new clinic attendees over the past 13 years is 7 in 10,000 persons whereas in Chinese patients, the proportion is 15 in 10,000 persons. Conclusion: Malignancy is found in about a third of all patients, with Chinese predisposition seen. This could explain why nasopharyngeal carcinoma is most prevalent in our centre.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to propose criteria for evaluating the validity of dental education systems in Korea and suggest future directions for their improvement. METHODS: We looked into dental educational institutions and derived criteria for analysis and comparison of dental education systems in Korea. Using analytical methods, we compared the strengths and weaknesses of each education system, and suggested core areas of improvement. RESULTS: Considering the demands placed on the Korean dental education sector, it is desirable to have an integrated education system that includes the preliminary and main courses, comprehensive training linking the basic medicine and clinical practice, and complete career guidance. CONCLUSIONS: A good dental education system is one that meets the educational goals set by a dental school. If the goal is to train a student to be a good dental practitioner, a 2+4 or 4+4 system is recommended, while a 3+4 model is more suitable when the objective is to train students to be researchers.
Education ; Education, Continuing ; Education, Dental ; Humans ; Korea ; Schools, Dental

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore defecation functions related quality of life (QoL) according to the location of cancer in colorectal cancer survivors. Methods: A total of 120 colorectal cancer survivors (67 colon vs. 53 rectum, mean age: 55.3±10.3 years, 46.7% male) who completed treatment were recruited from a tertiary hospital. QoL and defecation function related QoL were surveyed using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC QLQ-C30) and EORTC QLQ- colorectal cancer specific core (CR29) questionnaire. Physical activity (PA) levels of participants were surveyed using a global PA questionnaire. Results: There was no statistical difference in general QoL according to the location of cancer, but significant differences were observed in defecation function related QoL. When cancer location is closer to the anus, survivors experience more defecation dysfunction, negatively associated with QoL (Hemicolectomy: 67.71±14.07, anterior resection: 92.22±15.18, lower anterior resection: 151.85±17.20, and ultra-low anterior resection: 263.73±42.69). Conclusion When location of cancer is closer to the anus, colorectal survivors experience significantly more defecation dysfunction and poorer QoL. Strategies to reduce defecation dysfunction according to the location of cancer among colorectal cancer patients should be developed.

Introduction: The current standard treatment for ankle syndesmosis injury is static screw fixation. Dynamic fixation was developed to restore the dynamic function of the syndesmosis. The purpose of this study was to determine that which of static screw fixation and dynamic fixation is better for treatment of ankle syndesmosis injury in pronationexternal rotation fractures. Materials and methods: Thirty patients were treated with dynamic fixation (DF group) and 28 patients with static screw fixation (SF group). The primary outcome was Olerud–Molander Ankle Outcome Score. The secondary outcome were Visual Analogue Scale score and American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society score, radiographic outcomes, complications and cost effectiveness. To evaluate the radiographic outcome, the tibiofibular clear space, tibiofibular overlap, and medial clear space were compared using the pre-operative and last follow-up plain radiographs. To evaluate the cost effectiveness, the total hospital cost was compared between the two groups Results: There was no significant difference in primary outcome. Moreover, there were no significant difference in secondary outcome including Visual Analogue Scale score and American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society score and radiographic outcome. Two cases of reduction loss and four cases of screw breakage were observed in the SF group. No complication in the DF group was observed. Dynamic fixation was more cost effective than static screw fixation with respect to the total hospital cost. Conclusion: Although dynamic fixation provided similar clinical and radiologic outcome, dynamic fixation is more cost effective with fewer complications than static screw fixation in ankle syndesmosis injury of pronation-external rotation fractures.