BACKGROUND: Discrepancies exist in the existing researches regarding the association between social capital and self-efficacy, and most of these researches have been done in developed countries. The aims of this study were to assess the independent association between individual social capital and self-efficacy and to assess the associations between individual social capital, self-efficacy and self-rated health. METHODS: Data were obtained from the Gyeongnam health survey (6,500 persons) conducted in 2008. A self-administered questionnaire was additionally administered to gather information on demographic variables, health behaviors, chronic diseases, self-efficacy, social capital, and self-rated health status. Total study population was 3,843 as those with chronic diseases were excluded. RESULTS: In males, trust was positively associated with confidence and preference to task difficulty, and participation was negatively associated with confidence and positively associated with regulation and preference to task difficulty. In females, trust was positively associated with confidence and preference to task difficulty and negatively associated with regulation. Participation was positively associated with preference to task difficulty. In males, the odds for self-rated health status was better for persons with confidence (95% confidence interval, CI 1.088-1.705), trust (95% CI 1.172-1.821) and participation (95% CI 1.268-2.117). In females, the odds for self-rated health status was better for those with confidence (95% CI 1.250-1.803), preference of task difficulty (95% CI 1.019-1.683) and participation (95% CI 1.024-1.555). CONCLUSIONS: High social capital measured at an individual level may promote self-efficacy and health status.
Chronic Disease ; Developed Countries ; Female ; Health Behavior ; Health Surveys ; Humans ; Male ; Self Efficacy ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVE: Ultrasonography (USG) of joints has a unique position for the diagnosis of joint diseases. Bone surface, cartilage, periarticular soft tissue and their pathologic changes can be assessed by USG. This study was aimed to compare the radiographic and ultrasonographic findings in osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee joint and to evaluate the usefulness of each modality to evaluate the disease early and determine the severity of the arthritis. METHODS: Fifty osteoarthritis patients classified by the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) clinical criteria from December 2002 to April 2003 were included in the study. Routine radiography (standing anteroposterior, lateral, skyline view) and systemic USG examination of both knee were performed. We compared the incidence of the radiographic and ultrasonographic abnormality related to the pathologic change of the knee OA and suggesting the severity of the OA which would help to decide the therapeutic modality. RESULTS: In patient with knee OA, plain radiography showed abnormal findings in 37/50 (74%) patients, but USG showed at least five abnormal findings in all 50 patients. The abnormal findings detected only by plain radiography were subchondral sclerosis and subchondral cyst (14% and 4% each). But, the thinning of cartilage (94%), Baker's cyst (94%), cartilage degeneration (54%), meniscal protrusion (44%), meniscal tear (34%), meniscal cyst (32%), and the pannus (22%) were detected only by USG. Among the findings shared by both method, joint space narrowing was detected better by plain radiography than USG, but fluid accumulation, spur, meniscal calcification and osteochondroma were detected more frequently by USG. CONCLUSION: USG is more sensitive to find the pathologic changes related to the knee OA and to diagnose OA than the plain radiography. But each of the plain radiography and USG have their own unique value for the evaluation of OA in the knee. So the USG supplements the plain radiography in the examination of the knee OA.
Arthritis ; Bone Cysts ; Cartilage ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Incidence ; Joint Diseases ; Joints ; Knee Joint ; Knee* ; Osteoarthritis ; Osteoarthritis, Knee* ; Osteochondroma ; Popliteal Cyst ; Radiography* ; Rheumatology ; Sclerosis ; Ultrasonography*

A thyrotropin (TSH)-secreting pituitary adenoma is a rare cause of hyperthyroidism, with an incidence of one case per million. Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory rheumatic disease of the axial skeleton. Extra-articular manifestations, such as anterior uveitis, may also be prominent features in AS but little is known about the association between AS and thyroid diseases including TSH-secreting pituitary adenomas. We present a case study of a 26-year-old male AS patient who was diagnosed with a TSH-secreting pituitary adenoma using a thyrotropin releasing hormone stimulation test, measurement of the TSH alpha-subunit, and magnetic resonance imaging, and subsequently treated with a transsphenoidal tumor resection.
Adult ; Humans ; Hyperthyroidism ; Incidence ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Pituitary Neoplasms* ; Rheumatic Diseases ; Skeleton ; Spondylitis, Ankylosing* ; Thyroid Diseases ; Thyrotropin* ; Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone ; Uveitis, Anterior

OBJECTIVES: The incidence of hepatitis A infections among young adults has recently increased in South Korea. Although universal vaccination has often been suggested to mitigate the problem, its rationale has not been well-understood. Estimating the societal costs of hepatitis A infections might support the development of intervention strategies. METHODS: We classified hepatitis A infections into eight clinical pathways and estimated the number of occurrences and cost per case for each clinical pathway using claim data from National Health Insurance and several national surveys as well as assumptions based on previous studies. To determine the total costs of a hepatitis A infection, both direct and indirect costs were estimated. Indirect costs were estimated using the human-capital approach. All costs are adjusted to the year 2008. RESULTS: There were 30,240 identified cases of hepatitis A infections in 2008 for a total cost of 80,873 million won (2.7 million won per case). Direct and indirect costs constituted 56.2% and 43.8% of the total costs, respectively. People aged 20-39 accounted for 71.3% of total cases and 74.6% of total costs. Medical costs per capita were the lowest in the 0-4 age group and highest in the 20-29 age group. CONCLUSIONS: This study could provide evidence for development of cost-effective interventions to control hepatitis A infections. But the true costs including uncaptured and intangible costs of hepatitis A infections might be higher than our results indicate.
Cost of Illness ; Critical Pathways ; Hepatitis A* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; National Health Programs ; Republic of Korea ; Vaccination ; Young Adult

BACKGROUND: Portal triad clamping (PTC) during hepatic resection (Pringle maneuver, PM) can afford reduced intraoperative bleeding and bloodless surgical field. But inflow obstruction of blood to liver during PM can bring hemodynamic changes to the patient. This study was designed to evaluate the hemodynamic changes before, during and after PM application during hepatic resection. We also compared the hemodynamic effects of hepatic cooling before PM with/without portal decompression during PM. METHODS: The patients were divided into three groups; PM (P group, n=9), PM after hepatic cooling with 400 ml of 4oC lactated Ringer's solution (LR) (C+P group, n=13), PM after hepatic cooling and portal decompression with portocaval shunt (C+P+S group, n=7). Systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI), cardiac index (CI) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were measured before, during and after PM. RESULTS: Portal pressure of C+P+S group (208.3+/-36.6 mmH2O) was lower than P (487.3+/-92.9 mmH2O) and C P (553.6+/-77.0 mmH2O) group during PM. CIs of P and C P group were decreased (15, 13% respectively) during PM. After reperfusion, CIs and SVRIs of P, C+P and C+P+S group were all increased (CI; 33, 26, 50%, SVRI; 30, 40, 50%, respectively) than end of PM. CONCLUSION: PM itself doesn't make abrupt hemodynamic change. Hepatic cooling with 4oC LR (400 ml) before PM increases MAP because of increased SVRI. Reperfusion after PM for 50 minutes, hemodynamic depression could occur by decreased SVRI, especially in case of decompressed portal pressure with portocaval shunt during PM.
Arterial Pressure ; Constriction* ; Decompression* ; Depression ; Hemodynamics* ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Liver ; Portal Pressure ; Reperfusion ; Vascular Resistance

BACKGROUND: Portal triad clamping (PTC) during hepatic resection (Pringle maneuver, PM) can afford reduced intraoperative bleeding and bloodless surgical field. But inflow obstruction of blood to liver during PM can bring hemodynamic changes to the patient. This study was designed to evaluate the hemodynamic changes before, during and after PM application during hepatic resection. We also compared the hemodynamic effects of hepatic cooling before PM with/without portal decompression during PM. METHODS: The patients were divided into three groups; PM (P group, n=9), PM after hepatic cooling with 400 ml of 4oC lactated Ringer's solution (LR) (C+P group, n=13), PM after hepatic cooling and portal decompression with portocaval shunt (C+P+S group, n=7). Systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI), cardiac index (CI) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were measured before, during and after PM. RESULTS: Portal pressure of C+P+S group (208.3+/-36.6 mmH2O) was lower than P (487.3+/-92.9 mmH2O) and C P (553.6+/-77.0 mmH2O) group during PM. CIs of P and C P group were decreased (15, 13% respectively) during PM. After reperfusion, CIs and SVRIs of P, C+P and C+P+S group were all increased (CI; 33, 26, 50%, SVRI; 30, 40, 50%, respectively) than end of PM. CONCLUSION: PM itself doesn't make abrupt hemodynamic change. Hepatic cooling with 4oC LR (400 ml) before PM increases MAP because of increased SVRI. Reperfusion after PM for 50 minutes, hemodynamic depression could occur by decreased SVRI, especially in case of decompressed portal pressure with portocaval shunt during PM.
Arterial Pressure ; Constriction* ; Decompression* ; Depression ; Hemodynamics* ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Liver ; Portal Pressure ; Reperfusion ; Vascular Resistance

PURPOSE: The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate cumulative survival rate (CSR) of Implantium implants followed for 5 years and association between risk factors and the CSR. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of two hundred forty-nine Implantium Implants System (Dentium, Seoul, Korea) placed in ninety-five patients from 2004 to 2009 were investigated with several identified risk factors (sex, systemic disease, smoking, alchohol, reason of tooth loss, length, arch (maxilla or mandible), replace tooth type (incisor, canine, premolar or molar) Kennedy classification, prosthodontic type, prosthodontic design, opposite dentition, abutment type, occlusal material, occlusal unit, splint to tooth, cantilever, other surgery). Clinical examination (mobility, percussion, screw loosening, discomfort, etc.) and radiographic examination data were collected from patient records including all problems during follow-up period according to protocols described earlier. Life table analysis was undertaken to examine the CSR. Cox regression method was conducted to assess the association between potential risk factors and overall CSR. RESULTS: Five of 249 implants were failed. Four of these were lost before loading. The 5-year implant cumulative survival rate was 97.37%. Cox regression analysis demonstrated a significant predictive association between overall CSR and systemic disease, smoking, reason of tooth loss, arch, Kennedy classification and prosthodontic design (P<.05). The screw related complication was rare. Two abutment screw fractures were found. Another complications of prosthetic components were porcelain fracture, resin facing fracture and denture fracture (n=19). CONCLUSION: The 5-year CSR of Implantium implants was 97.37%. Implant survival may be dependent upon systemic disease, smoking reason of tooth loss, arch, Kennedy classification and prosthodontic design (P<.05). The presence of systemic diseases and combination of other surgical procedures may be associated with increased implant failure.
Bicuspid ; Dental Implants ; Dental Porcelain ; Dentition ; Dentures ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Life Tables ; Percussion ; Prosthodontics ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Splints ; Survival Rate ; Tooth ; Tooth Loss

BACKGROUND: Ventricular function is one of the important prognostic factors in patients with coronary artery disease. Among noninvasive approaches for the evaluation of ventricular performance, radionuclide ventriculo-graphy has shown to be of particular values in the patients with myocardial infarction. We have evaluated ven-tricular function with ECG-gated blood pool scan (GBPS) in patients with myocardial infarction of different locations and compared right and left ventricular functions. METHOD: Left and right ventricular function was assessed with multigated blood pool scan in 49 patients at 2-3 weeks after acute myocardial infarction (anterior infarction=23, inferior infarction=19, and lateral infarction=7). Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF), maximal emptying rate, maximal filling rate, phase angle and full width at half maximum (FWHM) of phase angles were measured during rest. RESULTS: 1) LVEF was signifi-cantly lower in the patients with anterior myocardial infarction (32.2%) than that of inferior (46.5%, p<0.001) or lateral infarction (45.5%, p<0.05), but not different between inferior and lateral infarction. 2) RVEF was significantly lower in the patients with inferior myocardial infarction (24.6%) than that of anterior (30.5%, p<0.05) or lateral infarction (36.1%, p<0.001), and RVEF of anterior infarction was significantly lower than that of lateral infarction (p<0.05). 3) Phase angle and FWHM of left ventricle and right ventricle phase histogram were not significantly different among the patients groups with different infarct sites. CONCLUSIONS: Ventricular function was differently affected by different infarct sites. Inferior infarction resulted in a greater reduction in right ventricular ejection fraction. In contrast, LVEF was greatly depressed in anterior infarction than in inferior infarction.
Coronary Artery Disease ; Heart Ventricles ; Humans ; Infarction ; Inferior Wall Myocardial Infarction ; Myocardial Infarction ; Stroke Volume ; Ventricular Function ; Ventricular Function, Left ; Ventricular Function, Right*

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the current study was to investigate the incidence of preoperative deep vein thrombosis (DVT) after hip fractures in Korea. METHODS: In this prospective study, we enrolled 152 Korean geriatric patients who had suffered hip fractures due to a simple fall and were hospitalized between January 2013 and December 2013. There were 52 male and 100 female patients, and their mean age was 78.2 years. There were 96 trochanteric fractures and 56 femoral neck fractures. All patients were examined for DVT: 26 by ultrasonography and 126 by computed tomography venography. The patients having DVT underwent inferior vena cava filter insertion before the surgical intervention. RESULTS: Preoperatively, none of the patients had any signs or symptoms of DVT; however, 4 patients were identified as having asymptomatic DVT. The overall incidence of DVT was 2.6% (4/152). The mean time to arrival at emergency room after injury was 32.6 hours. Mean time elapsed to undergo surgery after hospitalization was 24.9 hours. The average time to hospitalization after injury was 237 hours for patients with DVT versus 27.5 hours for patients without DVT. DVT developed within 72 hours in two of the 137 patients (1.4%) and after 72 hours in two of the remaining 15 patients (13.3%) hospitalized. CONCLUSIONS: While the preoperative incidence of DVT after hip fractures was relatively low (2.6%) in the Korean geriatric population, we confirmed that getting no treatment within 72 hours after injury increased the incidence of DVT. Thus, we conclude from this study that a workup for DVT should be considered in cases where admission or surgery has been delayed for more than 72 hours after injury.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Hip Fractures/*complications/epidemiology/*surgery ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Prospective Studies ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Time-to-Treatment ; Venous Thrombosis/diagnosis/*epidemiology/*etiology

The two basic scripts of the Korean writing system, Hanja (the logography of the traditional Korean character) and Hangul (the more newer Korean alphabet), have been used together since the 14th century. While Hanja character has its own morphemic base, Hangul being purely phonemic without morphemic base. These two, therefore, have substantially different outcomes as a language as well as different neural responses. Based on these linguistic differences between Hanja and Hangul, we have launched two studies; first was to find differences in cortical activation when it is stimulated by Hanja and Hangul reading to support the much discussed dual-route hypothesis of logographic and phonological routes in the brain by fMRI (Experiment 1). The second objective was to evaluate how Hanja and Hangul affect comprehension, therefore, recognition memory, specifically the effects of semantic transparency and morphemic clarity on memory consolidation and then related cortical activations, using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) (Experiment 2). The first fMRI experiment indicated relatively large areas of the brain are activated by Hanja reading compared to Hangul reading. The second experiment, the recognition memory study, revealed two findings, that is there is only a small difference in recognition memory for semantic transparency, while for the morphemic clarity was much larger between Hanja and Hangul. That is the morphemic clarity has significantly more effect than semantic transparency on recognition memory when studies by fMRI in correlation with behavioral study.
Adult ; Brain/*physiology ; Brain Mapping/*methods ; Brain Waves/*physiology ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Neurolinguistic Programming ; Recognition (Psychology)/physiology ; Writing