No abstract available.
Antistreptolysin* ; Child* ; Humans ; Reference Values* ; Seoul*

PURPOSE: The accuracy of bacteriologic diagnosis of beta-hemolytic streptococcal pharyngoton sillitis depends on the degree of carrier rate in that area. It is the purpose of this study to obtain the carrier rate from seven different areas and to find results and epidemiologic factors. METHODS: Throat swab was obtained from the tonsillar fossa of normal school children during March through May 1996. It was then plated on a 5% sheep blood agar plate and incubated overnight at 37 degrees C before examination for the presence of beta-hemolytic colonies. RESULTS: The carrier rate of beta-hemolytic streptococci and group A streptococci were 27.6%, 20.0% at Uljin; 16.3%, 6.3% at Checheon; 16.4%, 2.7% at Seoul; 12.8%, 3.4% at Masan; 33.0%, 26.0% at Osan; 20.0%, 12.3% at Kunsan; and 17.7%, 11.4% at Chongju, respectively. Among 2,159 normal school children from 7 different areas, we obtained 450 plates of beta-hemolytic streptococci. Osan had the highest carrier rate (33.3%) and Masan had the lowest rate (12.8%) of beta-hemolytic streptococci. Among 450 plates of beta-hemolytic streptococci, we obtained 265 strains of group A streptococci. Osan had the highest carrier rate (26.0%) and the Seoul had the lowest rate (2.7%) of group A streptococci. CONCLUSION: Higher carrier rates were found in Uljin and Osan, where there is a lower population density. We supposed that low carrier rates might be related to antibiotic abuse or some epidemiologic factor should be investigated.
Agar ; Child* ; Diagnosis ; Epidemiologic Factors ; Epidemiology ; Gyeonggi-do ; Humans ; Jeollabuk-do ; Korea* ; Pharynx ; Population Density ; Seoul ; Sheep

PURPOSE: We compare the sagittal stability of 6 different osteotomies of the metatarsal shaft : the proximal crescentic, proximal chevron, Mau, Scarf, Ludloff, and biplanar closing wedge osteotomies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten fresh frozen, human cadaveric specimens were used for each osteotomy. All specimens were then dissected out en bloc as the first metatarsal -medial cuneiform complex which was fixed with 3 Kirschner wires and clamped to a MTS Mini Bionix load frame. Cantiliver bending load was applied until bony fracture, pull out of screw, or a displacement of osteotomy greater than 2 mm as measured by the extensometer was observed. The data was compared with Student's t-test. RESULTS: The average bending strength for 6 osteotomies were 199.56 kg/cm2 in proximal crescentic osteotomy, 205.3 kg/cm2 in proximal chevron osteotomy, 372.0 kg/cm2 in Ludloff osteotomy, 428.4 kg/cm2 in Scarf osteotomy, 508.8 kg/cm2 in biplanar closing osteotomy, and 530.0 kg/cm2 in Mau osteotomy. Statistical analysis revealed insignificant difference (P>0.01) between Ludloff and Scarf and biplanar closing wedge and Mau osteotomies. There were statistical differences between Mau or Scarf osteotomy and proximal chevron or crescentic osteotomy. CONCLUSION: Proximal chevron and proximal crescentic osteotomies need longer postoperative immobilization for the prevention of plantar angulation of first metatasus.
Bone Wires ; Cadaver ; Hallux Valgus ; Humans ; Immobilization ; Metatarsal Bones* ; Osteotomy*

OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to investigate the effects of shift-work, in terms of general health concepts, insomnia, stress, quality of life and psychological health, at several manufacturing plants. METHODS: Questionnaires were distributed to 850 shift-workers (study group), and to 550 non-shift workers (as a control group). The questionnaires included questions on ; general health concepts, insomnia, stress, quality of life and psychological health. 455 shift-workers and 372 non-shift workers completed the questionnaires, and the factors influencing the health status and quality of life in workers estimated by multiple iogistic regression analysis. RESULTS: From the general health questionnaires, the mental health and health perception were significantly different between the shift and non-shift workers, with the better being former than the latter (p<0.05). Shift-workers complained of more insomnia when adjusted for age, working period, education and job satisfaction. Greater job satisfaction, was coupled with less complaints of insomnia (p<0.05). There were 200(43.96 %) shift workers classified as insomniac, whereas with the non-shift workers this figure was 84 (25.15 %), showing a significant difference between the two groups (p<0.05). Shift-workers were more stressed than the non-shift workers in their daily lives, which also showed significant difference (p<0.05). Less job satisfaction, was coupled with more complaints of stress (p<0.05). The quality of life of the shift-workers was lower than that of the nonshift workers (p<0.05). With the shift-workers complaining of more anxiety than the nonshift workers (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that shift-workers suffer from physical and psychological distresses, sleep problems and stress than non-shift workers. Furthermore, it is presumed that these factors might negatively affect the quality of life of shift-workers. Accordingly, interventional methods for shift-worker's health and quality of life as a result of adverse effects of shift-work are needed.
Anxiety ; Education ; Job Satisfaction ; Mental Health ; Quality of Life* ; Questionnaires ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders

No abstract available.
Alcoholics* ; Aldehyde Dehydrogenase* ; Humans ; Liver Diseases, Alcoholic*

Turner syndrome is a chromosomal disorder in which of all or part one of the X chromosomes is absent, and this syndrome affects females. The syndrome leads to a constellation of physical findings that often includes congenital lymphedema, a short stature and gonadal dysgenesis. The prevalence of inflammatory bowel diseases in the general population is estimated to be 150~250 per 100,000 population. A 2-fold increase in the risk of developing inflammatory bowel diseases has been reported in women with Turner syndrome. We describe here a case of Turner syndrome with Crohn's disease.
Chromosome Disorders ; Crohn Disease ; Female ; Gonadal Dysgenesis ; Humans ; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases ; Lymphedema ; Prevalence ; Turner Syndrome ; X Chromosome

PURPOSE: The urinary mass screening program for the detection of proteinuria had been performed for a school age population in the city of Seoul since 1981. However, systematic evaluation for this program had never been done. We, therefore, designed a systematic evaluation in corporation with the Seoul School Health Center for students with proteinuria identified in the mass screening to determine the prevalence of asymptomatic proteinuria, and to estimate the risk of incipient renal diseases and incidences of some of them. And also, we attempted to reveal the significance of urinary mass screening. METHODS: In the period of 8 years betwen 1987 and 1994, annually about a half million students, who comprised 3 different age groups, 5th grade of elementary school, 2nd grade of junior school and 2nd grade of high school were chosen, corresponding to the approximate ages of 11, 14 and 17 years, respectively. These subjects accounted for 25% of total school children in Seoul. The screening program was carried out in 3 steps. The 1st test was performed at schools and the 2nd at the School Health Center. Those students who showed proteinuria in the 1st and 2nd tests were referred to the hospital. Laboratory examinations including renal biopsies were performed in those students with pathologic proteinuria to clarify the incipient renal diseases. RESULTS: 1) The prevalences of asymptomatic proteinuria were 0.2-0.36% (average 0.28%) in the 1st test. It peaked at the age of 14 years 0.36%, compared to 0.2% in the 11 age group and 0.25% in the 17 age group. 2) There was a difference of asymptomatic proteinuria by sex and age, higher prevalence in the female in the 11 age group but higher in the male in the 17 age group. 3) The distribution of proteinuria in accordance with various types classified by us at the 3rd test showed as follows: transient proteinuria (type 1) 17%, orthostatic proteinuria (type 2) 55%, constant proteinuria (type 3) 6%, proteinuria with hematuria (type 4) 20%, isolated proteinuria (type 5) 2%. Pathologic proteinuria comprised of type 3, 4 and 5, accounted for 28%, which was 1/10 of proteinuria in the 1st test. 4) The annual incidence of renal glomerular diseases among the age goup of 7-18 years was estimated to be 2.8 per 10,000. 5) Renal pathologic studies on 80 children with proteinuria and hematuria (66) or constant proteinuria (14) revealed IgA Nephropathy (38.9%) was the most frequent glomerular diease. MPGN 10.0%, MGN 7.5%, Reflux Nephropathy 7.5%, FSGS 6.2% were followed, respectively. HBV asssociated Nephropathy was 7.5%. 6) 4 of Reflux Nephropathy and 2 of FSGS were found in the 14 children with constant proteinuria in the screening test. Among these children, 5 progressed to chronic renal failure. 7) The annual incidence of IgA Nephropathy among the age group of 7-18 years was 1.1 per 10,000. 8) The morbidity of chronic renal failure was estimated to be 9.8 per 1 million of 7 to 18 years age group. CONCLUSIONS: 1) Most Students, approximately 90%, who were found to have asymptomatic proteinuria in the initial screening were normal so clinical evaluations for them should be very much cautious. Only 10% of them had pathologic proteinuria which denoted incipient renal diseases. 2) Annual incidences of incipient renal glomerular diseases, IgA Nephropathy and chronic renal failure were estimated to be 2.8 per 10,000, 1.1 per 10,000 and 9.8 per 1 million among school children in Seoul. 3) Because of the high incidence of significant glomerular changes and the high rate of progression to chronic renal failure in children with constant proteinuria, it should be regarded as serious one. 4) The definite conclusion that a urinary mass screening program can alter the prognosis of children with renal diseases identified in the mass screening can not be drawn with this study. Further study must be necessary.
Biopsy ; Child* ; Female ; Glomerulonephritis, IGA ; Glomerulonephritis, Membranoproliferative ; Hematuria ; Humans ; Incidence ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; Male ; Mass Screening* ; Prevalence ; Prognosis ; Proteinuria ; School Health Services ; Seoul*

Adenoma is a benign epithelial lesion with malignant potential and can be found at any site of the gastrointestinal tract. Adenoma of the common bile duct is a rare and unusual cause of bile duct obstruction. We report a case of tubulovillous adenoma of the common bile duct at the cystic duct opening. A 1.8X1.2X1 cm sized, round and lobulated mass was noted on abdominal sonogram, CT scan and endoscopic retrograde cholangiogram, and it was confirmed and treated by surgical resection.
Adenoma* ; Cholestasis ; Common Bile Duct* ; Cystic Duct* ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Retension of inflammatory cells and cytokines in the middle ear cleft can result in ongoing chronic otitis media with effusion. This study aims to investigate the role of these inflammatory cells and cytokines in the middle ear effusion (MEE) of children with otitis media with effusion. MATERIALS AND METHOD: We analyzed 46 pediatric middle ear effusion samples for IL-6, IL-10, TNF-alpha and inflammatory cells and tried to elucidate the relationship between the concentration of these cytokines, inflammatory cells and clinical features. RESULTS: 1) The concentration of TNF-alphain MEE from children younger than 2 years was significantly higher than the levels of children older than 2 years (p<0.05). 2) The concentration of TNF-alpha in MEE of preoperative medication group was significantly lower than the levels of non-medication group (p<0.05). 3) The concentration of IL-6 in MEE of the ears with hearing threshold poorer than 35 dB was significantly higher than the levels of the ears with hearing threshold better than 35 dB (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The results showed that TNF-alpha and IL-6 are intimately involved in the inflammatory cascade of the middle ear and suggest regulation of these cytokines as possible sites of future therapeutic intervention in otitis media with effusion.
Child ; Cytokines* ; Ear ; Ear, Middle ; Hearing ; Humans ; Interleukin-10 ; Interleukin-6 ; Otitis Media with Effusion* ; Otitis Media* ; Otitis* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to determine the population-based prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) and prediabetes in a rural district of Daegu City, Korea. METHODS: Between August and November 2003, a community-based health survey of adults aged 20 years and older was performed in the rural district of Dalseong-gun in Daegu City. A total of 1,806 of all eligible individuals agreed to participate. Fasting plasma glucose was measured in all participants. Two hour oral glucose tolerance was measured in the 1,773 participants for whom there was neither an established diagnosis of DM nor evidence of DM according to fasting glucose levels. The prevalence of DM and prediabetes was determined according to the 2003 criteria of the American Diabetes Association. Subjects with prediabetes were classified into one of three categories of glucose intolerance: isolated impaired fasting glucose (IFG); isolated impaired glucose tolerance (IGT); or combined IFG and IGT. RESULTS: The prevalence of DM was 12.2%. The highest prevalence rates were observed in subjects in their seventies. A total of 34.7% of all subjects who were assigned a diagnosis of DM in the present study had not been diagnosed previously. The prevalence of prediabetes was 22.7%. The highest prevalence rates were observed in subjects in their fifties. CONCLUSION: The present study identified prevalence rates of 12.2% for DM (age-standardized prevalence rate [ASR], 6.8%), and 22.7% for prediabetes (ASR 18.5%). These results emphasize the need for community health promotion strategies to prevent or delay the onset of DM in individuals with prediabetes.
Adult ; Aged ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Fasting ; Glucose ; Glucose Tolerance Test ; Health Promotion ; Health Surveys ; Humans ; Korea ; Plasma ; Prediabetic State ; Prevalence