PURPOSE: Westernized eating habits have been associated with early-age menstruation, which increases the incidence of dysmenorrhea and premenstrual syndrome among adolescent girls. We therefore surveyed changes in menarche timing and the general menstrual characteristics of adolescent girls in Seoul, Korea. METHODS: We surveyed 538 teenage girls who visited our hospital between July and November 2007. Items explored included age at menarche, general menstrual characteristics, occurrence of premenstrual syndrome and treatment thereof, and an association between present dysmenorrhea and a family history of the condition. RESULTS: Average age at menarche was 12.6 years, with 29% (n=156) subjects beginning menstruation at age 12 years. The prevalence of dysmenorrhea was 82% (n=435). The main symptoms were abdominal (53.2%) and lower back pain (34.2%), and 15.2% of girls who experienced such symptoms required medication. Present dysmenorrhea, and a family history thereof, were statistically correlated (P<0.05). In addition, 58.8% (n=316) of teenage girls had symptoms of premenstrual syndrome. The most frequent psychological symptoms were fatigue (36.4%) and nervousness (38.7%), whereas the most common physical symptom was menstrual cramps (46.5%). Most subjects (87.6%) tolerated the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome without medication; 11.4% took medicines including painkillers; but only 0.1% of subjects visited a doctor. CONCLUSION: The average age at menarche in Korean girls was 12.6 years, thus younger than in the past. Most teenage girls experienced dysmenorrhea and premenstrual syndrome, but few consulted a doctor. Organized treatment plans are required to manage menstrual problems in teenage girls.
Adolescent ; Anxiety ; Dysmenorrhea ; Eating ; Fatigue ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Low Back Pain ; Menarche ; Menstruation ; Muscle Cramp ; Premenstrual Syndrome ; Prevalence

PURPOSE: Adolescence is a period of growth and development in body structure and physiologic, psychologic, and social functioning. Smoking and drinking in this period are very harmful and may lead to other forms of substance abuse. We surveyed the actual aspects of smoking and drinking among Korean adolescents and analyzed associated factors. METHODS: A survey was performed among adolescents using a questionnaire about smoking and drinking. Data were collected from students who visited pediatric clinics for routine school examinations from July to November 2007. RESULTS: A total of 2,546 adolescents (smoking 1,512; drinking 1,034) participated in the study. The overall smoking and drinking rates were 29.2% and 48.2%, respectively, and the mean age at the first instance of smoking and drinking was 13.8 and 14.1 years, respectively. Among drinking adolescents, 30.1% were offered a drink by their parents, although most adolescents were encouraged to smoke or drink by their friends. Dissatisfaction with family and school life, economic status, and school performance was associated with a higher smoking and drinking rate (P<0.001). Broken families were associated with a high rate of smoking, but peer satisfaction was not related to smoking or drinking. The frequency and amount of smoking and drinking in adolescents were as high as those in adults. Social sanctions seemed insufficient to keep adolescents from smoking and drinking. CONCLUSION: Adolescent smoking and drinking are highly influenced by family and school environments, so more active social sanctions are required, including parental involvement and legislation preventing adolescents from smoking and drinking.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Alcohol Drinking ; Drinking ; Friends ; Growth and Development ; Humans ; Korea ; Parents ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Substance-Related Disorders

PURPOSE: To investigate the early results of limited open repair technique of Achilles tendon ruptures, and to describe the surgical technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From October 2004 to February 2005, a total of 10 patients with Achilles tendon rupture underwent limited open repair. The average age of the patients was 39.3 years, and the average follow-up period was 9 months. The causes of injury were sports injuries in 8 cases, and slip down in 2. The mean interval between the injury and the operation was 9 days. The clinical results were assessed by patient's satisfaction, incision length, hospitalization, the ankle-hindfoot scale of American Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS), and complications. RESULTS: Of 10 patients, 8 were very satisfied, and the remaining 2 were satisfied. The mean incision length was 2.0 cm, and the mean hospitalization was 2 days. The mean AOFAS score was 97 points, and there was no complications such as infection, rerupture, or nerve injury. All patients returned to work at approximately 2 months, and resumed light exercise such as jogging at approximately 3 months. CONCLUSION: Limited open repair technique of Achilles tendon ruptures is provided for better cosmetic results, high patient's satisfaction, and functionally successful results without postoperative complications.
Achilles Tendon* ; Ankle ; Athletic Injuries ; Follow-Up Studies ; Foot ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Jogging ; Postoperative Complications ; Rupture*

PURPOSE:Acute gastroenteritis is one of the causes of febrile seizures or benign seizures in children. This study was performed to find out the clinical characteristics and the prognosis of convulsions by acute gastroenteritis. METHODS:From January 2000 to December 2004, sixty five pediatric patients who suffered from convulsions due to acute gastroenteritis were classified into benign seizures (n=36) or febrile seizures(n=29) in Wonju Christian Hospital, Wonju College of Medicine, Yonsei University. We compared the age of onset, sex, the frequency and the duration of convulsions, blood electrolytes and peripheral white blood cell counts, findings of the cerebrospinal fluid examination, and the electroencephalograms between the two groups. In addition, we retrospectively analyzed their recurrence of convulsive diseases for 7 to 59 months after the first attacks. RESULTS:There was no difference of onset age, frequency and duration of convulsion between the two groups(P=0.12, P=0.83 and P=0.08). The types of convulsions were generalized seizures in both groups. There were 16 cases of positive responses to the antigen tests for stool rotavirus, and 12 of them(75%) belonged to the benign seizure group. And other laboratory findings were normal. During the follow-up period, 4 patients(11.1%) in the benign seizure group experienced febrile seizures, 2 patients(5.6%) benign seizures and 1 patient a generalized tonic-clonic seizure, whereas 3 patients(10.3%) in the febrile seizure group experienced simple febrile seizures. CONCLUSION:The comparative analysis between the benign seizure and the febrile seizure groups revealed no significant differences on the clinical characteristics except the number of positive responses to the rotavirus antigen tests in stool. And the recurrence rates of convulsions in both groups were similar with previous studies which showed no significant differences between the two groups.
Age of Onset ; Cerebrospinal Fluid ; Child ; Electroencephalography ; Electrolytes ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gangwon-do ; Gastroenteritis* ; Humans ; Leukocyte Count ; Prognosis ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Rotavirus ; Seizures* ; Seizures, Febrile

The aim of this study was to determine the usefulness of quantitative analysis of multiphasic dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in differentiating early homogeneously enhancing hemangiomas from hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs). Four-phased dynamic MR imaging at 10 sec (first phase of dynamic contrast-enhanced imaging, P1), 35 sec (second phase, P2), 60 sec (third phase, P3) and 300 sec (delay phase, P4) immediately after intravenous administration of 0.1 mmol/kg Gadolinium-DTPA was obtained with 1.5-T unit with breath-hold multisection FLASH (fast low angle-shot) sequence (TR/TE, 113-130 msec/4.1 msec; flip angle, 80 degrees). Thirty-three HCCs and 18 hemangiomas, homogeneously enhanced on P1, were included in the study. The images were evaluated quantitatively (SNR, signal-to-noise ratio; and CNR, contrast- to- noise ratio of lesions). Quantitatively, mean CNR was higher for hemangiomas than for HCCs on all phases, and the difference in CNRs between hemangioma and HCCs was statistically significant on P3 and P4 (p < 0.0001). When the cutoff for CNR was set at a value of 7.00 on P3 and 1.00 on P4, sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were 94.4%, 93.9%, and 94.1% on P3, and 94.4%, 81.8%, and 86.3% on P4, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in SNRs between HCC and hemangioma. The differential diagnosis between early, homogeneously enhancing hemangiomas and HCCs was more confidently made with CNRs of lesions on P3 and P4 in dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging.
Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/diagnosis* ; Contrast Media ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Hemangioma/diagnosis* ; Human ; Image Enhancement ; Liver Neoplasms/diagnosis* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods* ; Male ; Middle Age

Purpose: Although Mycoplasma pneumoniae (M. pneumoniae) infection can cause wheezing in non-asthmatic children, the mechanisms of this symptom remain unclear. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a major mediator of angiogenesis and vascular permeability, and is also known to be elevated in cases of chronic pulmonary disease such as asthma. We hypothesized that VEGF may increase in children with acute M. pneumoniae pneumonia and wheezing. Methods: Nine patients with clinical and laboratory evidence of acute M. pneumoniae pneumonia were enlisted from children admitted to Korea University Hospital. They had had more than one episode of wheezing during the illness, which was confirmed by a physician; they comprised the wheezer group. The individuals with M. pneumoniae pneumonia without wheezing were 63 in number, and they comprised the non-wheezer group. Patients with a history of asthma or who had received asthma medications were excluded. Serum concentrations of VEGF, total IgE, eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), and peripheral blood eosinophil counts were measured. Results: The serum VEGF concentrations were higher in the wheezer group (mean+/-SD; 650.2+/-417.9 pg/mL) than in the non-wheezer group (376.5+/-356.2 pg/mL, P=0.049). M. pneumoniae antibody (1:1,380 vs. 1:596, P=0.048) and serum total IgE (591.8 IU/mL vs. 162.2 IU/mL, P=0.032) were higher in the wheezer group than in the non-wheezer group. There were no differences between the two groups in terms of serum ECP concentration or blood eosinophil count. Conclusion: In the presence of wheezing, serum VEGF concentrations were higher in the children with M. pneumoniae pneumonia. This finding suggests that VEGF may associate with wheeze-related symptoms in children with acute M. pneumoniae pneumonia.
Asthma ; Capillary Permeability ; Child ; Eosinophil Cationic Protein ; Eosinophils ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; Korea ; Lung Diseases ; Mycoplasma ; Mycoplasma pneumoniae ; Pneumonia ; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma ; Respiratory Sounds ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A

PURPOSE: To evaluate the results of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) for patients with chronic proximal plantar fascitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between April 2005 and April 2006, 35 cases (24 patients) who were followed more than 6 months were evaluated. By EvoTron(R), 2 sessions of ESWT (Group 1: 1200 and Group 2: 1500 shock waves/session of 0.12 mJ/mm2) were performed at 2 weeks interval. The mean age was 40.0 (range, 15-59) years. 13 patients were male and 11 patients were female. Visual analogue scale (VAS) on daily activity and a 100-point scoring system including 70 points for pain and 30 points for function were used. The clinical outcomes were rated as follows: excellent, no pain on daily activity; good, less than 50% of previous VAS; fair, 50-75% of previous VAS; or poor, more than 75% of previous VAS. Excellent and good were graded as satisfactory results. We compare clinical results between groups and evaluate the relationships between clinical results and duration of symptom, fascial thickening and previous steroid injection were evaluated. RESULTS: Overall satisfactory rate were 71.4%. There was no significant difference of clinical results between groups. And there were no significant difference between clinical results and duration of symtom, preoperative fascial thickening and previous steroid injection. CONCLUSIONS: ESWT for recalcitrant chronic proximal plantar fascitis is useful treatment method with high patient satisfaction and pain relief, but more long-term study must be needed.
Fasciitis ; Fasciitis, Plantar* ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Patient Satisfaction ; Shock*

PURPOSE: We compared the bony arrangements of the forefoot in 2 different years, 1982 and 2004, to determine any changes with time period of 22 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The radiographs of 200 normal Korean adults, 100 male and 100 female volunteers, were evaluated both in 1982 and 2004. The radiographic results were evaluated with as follows; hallux valgus angle (HVA), intermetatarsal angle (IMA), morphology of metatarsal head and relative anterior protrusion of the metatarsals and the phalanges. The mean ages were 38 years (23-52years) in 1982, and 37 years (24-50years) in 2004. RESULTS: The mean of HVA decreased from 15.6 degrees in 1982 to 14.3 degrees in 2004 (p=0.047), and the mean of IMA increased from 8.0 degrees in 1982 to 9.4 degrees in 2004 (p=0.031). The morphology of metatarsal head and relative anterior protrusion of the metatarsals and the phalanges were not different between the two study years. CONCLUSION: Comparing with those of 1982 measurements, we found an increase of IMA and a decrease of HVA. A prospective study may be needed to illuminate course of the changes.
Adult ; Female ; Hallux Valgus ; Head ; Humans ; Male ; Metatarsal Bones ; Volunteers

PURPOSE: We compared the bony arrangements of the forefoot in 2 different years, 1982 and 2004, to determine any changes with time period of 22 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The radiographs of 200 normal Korean adults, 100 male and 100 female volunteers, were evaluated both in 1982 and 2004. The radiographic results were evaluated with as follows; hallux valgus angle (HVA), intermetatarsal angle (IMA), morphology of metatarsal head and relative anterior protrusion of the metatarsals and the phalanges. The mean ages were 38 years (23-52years) in 1982, and 37 years (24-50years) in 2004. RESULTS: The mean of HVA decreased from 15.6 degrees in 1982 to 14.3 degrees in 2004 (p=0.047), and the mean of IMA increased from 8.0 degrees in 1982 to 9.4 degrees in 2004 (p=0.031). The morphology of metatarsal head and relative anterior protrusion of the metatarsals and the phalanges were not different between the two study years. CONCLUSION: Comparing with those of 1982 measurements, we found an increase of IMA and a decrease of HVA. A prospective study may be needed to illuminate course of the changes.
Adult ; Female ; Hallux Valgus ; Head ; Humans ; Male ; Metatarsal Bones ; Volunteers

PURPOSE: To analyze the outcome of metatarsal lengthening of first brachymetatarsia by callotasis using an external fixator. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 1998 and February 2004, 10 patients (17 cases) were reviewed. The mean age at operation was 17.3 years. Seven patients had bilateral first brachymetatarsia and eight patients had combined 4th brachymetatarsia. The operations were performed with a monoexternal fixator, and distraction was started at a rate of 0.75 mm/day after 7 days. The radiographic results were evaluated by lengthening amount and percentage, fixation time, and healing index. Complications and AOFAS score were evaluated. RESULTS: The average lengthening amount was 17.7 mm and the average lengthening percentage was 43.4%. The external fixation time was 107 days and average healing index was 69.8 days/cm. The evaluation according to AOFAS score was excellent in 12 cases and good in 5 cases. Complications were 4 cases of hallux valgus, 4 of metatarsophalangeal joint stiffness, 3 of medial angular deformity, 3 of pes cavus, 2 of pin breakage, 2 of pin site infection, and 1 of skin hyperpigmentation. CONCLUSION: Callotasis for 1st brachymetatarsia is a very useful treatment method with high patient satisfaction, excellent healing rate and early ambulation without bone graft. Nevertheless, great care must be taken to minimize the various possible complications.
Congenital Abnormalities ; Early Ambulation ; External Fixators ; Foot Deformities ; Hallux Valgus ; Humans ; Hyperpigmentation ; Metatarsal Bones* ; Metatarsophalangeal Joint ; Osteogenesis, Distraction* ; Patient Satisfaction ; Skin ; Transplants