BACKGROUND: The elderly is known to have many different clinical laboratory data compared with the young adults. But, in Korea, such study is lacking. METHODS: We gathered 98 healthy elderly cases and 98 healthy young adult controls who have taken periodic health examination from January 1993 to May 1996 at one hospital and we compared the mean of various clinical laboratory data between the two groups. RESULTS: In both sexes, cholesterol, ESR, glucose were significantly higher in the elderly t,han in the controls and direct bilirubin was significantly lower in the elderly than in the controls(P<0.05). In men, albumin, calcium, hemoglobin were significantly lower in the elderly than in the controls and MCV was significantly higher in the elderly than in the controls(P<0.05). In women, alkaline phosphatase, LDH, triglyceride, GOT, GPT, T3,TSH, phosphate were significantly higher in the elderly than in the controls and total bilirubin, protein, uric acid were significantly lower in the elderly than in the controls(P<0.05). WBC count, platelet count, neutrophil count(%), lymphocyte count(%), eosinophil count (%), monocyte count(%), MCH, MCHC, BUN, creatinine, HDL were not significantly different between two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Many clinical laboratory data are different between the elderly and the young adults, and some clinical laboratory data have sexual differences.
Aged* ; Alkaline Phosphatase ; Bilirubin ; Calcium ; Cholesterol ; Creatinine ; Eosinophils ; Female ; Glucose ; Humans ; Korea ; Lymphocytes ; Male ; Monocytes ; Neutrophils ; Platelet Count ; Triglycerides ; Uric Acid ; Young Adult*

For many years, healing membranous bone fractures have been known to show a persistent lucency at the fracture interface. Radiographic follow-up has proven to be of little value as a guideline for healing of mandibular fractures. Recently, a fracture has been treated by rigid internal fixation by metallic plate and screws rather than closed reduction and wire fixation, we expected that some difference in the radiographic features of fracture healing. To investigate these questions we undertook a retrospective radiographic and clinical analysis of 33 followed patients with fractures of the body and angle of the mandible from 1993 to 1997. There were 26 male and 7 female patients ranging in age between 5 and 74 years, with an average of 29.7 years. All patients were managed by open reduction with metallic plates and screws. The length of follow-up ranged from 9 to 187 weeks. Total 81 radiographic follow-up films were obtained and divided into 3 grades according to the degree of radiolucency of fracture lines; grade 0 radiolucent fracture line and no evidence of fracture interface calcification, grade 1 decreased radiolucent area and evidence of fracture interface calcification, and grade 2 disappearance of fracture line.Until follow-up of 8 weeks, all of the radiographs showed grade 0. From 8 weeks to 16 weeks, 62.5 percent showed grade 0 and 37.5 percent showed grade 1. From 16 weeks to 48 weeks, 38.5 percent showed grade 1 and 61.5 percent showed grade 2. After follow-up of 48 weeks, all showed grade 2.In this study we have shown that the radiographic disappearance of mandibular fracture lines was usually accomplished by 48 weeks. We feel that radiographic union of the mandible is lagging well behind clinical union, but disapperance of the fracture line in rigidly fixated mandibular fracture was occurred earlier than healed by fibrous union. We propose that radiographic union of the mandible by approximately 1 year can be a guideline for the normal mandibular bone healing.
Female ; Follow-Up Studies* ; Fracture Healing ; Fractures, Bone ; Humans ; Male ; Mandible ; Mandibular Fractures* ; Retrospective Studies

Severe injuries of hands frequently expose the bone and joint due to the defect of crushing of soft tissues. Although the several methods are introduced, the treatment of bone and joint exposure of finger and hand is very difficult to control satisfactorily. From October 1986 to February 1988, we performed the pedicled skin flap in 11 cases; 9 abdominal skin flaps and 2 pectoral skin flaps. Follow up stuides showed good results. The successful surviving of flaps was accomplished in all cases and the dead bones were regenerated by the creeping substitution. Therefore this pedicled skin flap operation can be considered to be a simple and effective method in treating the bone and joint exposure of fingers.
Fingers ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hand ; Joints ; Methods ; Skin

We had observed 60 patients with scabies in Kangwon province around Wonju area from June to Aug. 1981. The purpose of our present study was the evaluation of the clinical manifestations and laboratory findings in patients with scabies. The results were summarized as follow; 1) The sex ratio of male to female patients was 1. 9: 1 and the most frequent affected age was 10-29 year-old group. 2) Family history was positive in 72.4% of all patients. 3) Ninety per cents of the patients had a history of previous treatment for their kin lesiona, but only 30. 0% of the patients were treated under the diagnosis of scabies. 4) We found the itch mite and it's eggs in 16. 7% of patients and the most frequent detection site was the burrow of interdigital webs, 5) Secondary infection and dermatitis were the most frequent associated complications. 6) The severity of thedisease was correlated with the rate of peripheral eosinophil count. 7) Oniy 4(22.2%) of 18 patients were sensitized to DNCB. 8) The result of VDRL test of the 40 patients whose age were over 17 years old was non-reactive in all.
Adolescent ; Coinfection ; Dermatitis ; Diagnosis ; Dinitrochlorobenzene ; Eggs ; Eosinophils ; Female ; Gangwon-do ; Humans ; Male ; Mites ; Ovum ; Scabies ; Sex Ratio

BACKGROUND: It is necessary for most effective treatment of neoplasms to detect it in early stage. For the purpose we use many screening tests currently, however, the tumor marker have many limitations as a screening test for neoplasm. Nevertheless most of Health screening centers are using CEA as a screening test for neoplasm. So, we began this study for the assessment of validity of CEA as a screening test for neoplasm. METHODS: The subjects were 4265 persons who visited Health screening center of Kyung hee Medical Center from July 1995 to June 1996. The number of elevated CEA among the subjects was 156. We evaluated the frequencies of factors known as etiologies of increased CEA. We followed up whether neoplasms were developed in normal CEA group. Through the random sampling of normal CEA group, 391 subjects were obtained for statistical analysis by SPSS/PC+. Immunoradiometric assay kit, of Eiken company was used for gauging CEA level and normal level was less than 2.4ng/ml according to manual of manufacturer. RESULTS: There was no significant difference of CEA according to sex, age. The factors that significantly affect CEA were neoplasms, chronic lung disease, liver cirrhosis. In t,his study, smoking, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, fibrocystic disease, chronic renal failure, alcohol drinking, hepatitis, peptic ulcer disease known as etiologies of elevated CEA in other studies did not show statistical significance. 9 cases of neoplasms were developed in both elevated CEA and normal CEA group during follow up. In former, 4 cases of 9 neoplasms were early stage. In latter, all cases were stage IV and inoperable. Specificity and sensitivity of CEA were each 96.5%, 50.0%. Positive & negative predictive value of CEA were each 5.8%, 99.8%. CONCLUSIONS: CEA was increased in various benign conditions and even if any neoplasm exists, CEA was not elevated in most of all in early stage. It showed high false positive rate and low sensitivity. Thus, this study showed that it was not valid to use CEA as a screening test for early detection of neoplasms.
Alcohol Drinking ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hepatitis ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Immunoradiometric Assay ; Liver Cirrhosis ; Lung Diseases ; Mass Screening* ; Peptic Ulcer ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Smoke ; Smoking

BACKGROUND: Osteoporosis results from bone loss due to menopause [estrogen(E) deficiency] and aging. Initial skeletal effect of menopause is accelerated bone resorption with an increase in seurm calcium(Ca) and compensatory but inadequate bone formation. Secretion of parathyroid hormone(PTH) is suppressed at this time. Postmenopausal osteoporosis results in fractures predominantly of trabecular bone, i.e., vertebra. With aging, secondary hyperparathyroidism by low serum Ca and vitamin D deficiency superim poses. Senile osteoporosis produces hip fractures, area of cortical bone. The aim of this study was to- examine the association of vitamin D[25(OH)D] and intact(i) PTH with bone mineral density(BMD) after controlling for suggested confounding factors, and the possibility of low serum vitamin D and high serum iPTH concentration could impact bone loss in Korean postmenopausal women. METHODS: Data from 188 postmenopausal Korean women aged 42 to 69 were analyzed through BMD, serum 25(OH)D, iPTH, Ca, phosphorus(P), alkaline phosphatase(ALP) and clinical characteristics. Factors affecting BMD was determined by Pearson correlation and the relationship between lumbar and femoral neck BMD and vitamin D[25(OH)D] and iPTH was assessed by multiple regression analysis after adjus- ting for suggested confounding factors. RESULTS: Lumbar and femoral neck BMD, serum Ca, P were decresaed and serum iPTH was increased with aging. In Pearson`s correlation, significant contributing factors to lumbar BMD was age, height, weight, menarche, year since menopause(YSM) and ALP. And significant contributing factors to femoral neck BMD was age, height, weight, menarche, YSM and iPTH. No relationship could be demonstrated between serum vitamin D[25(OH)D] and lumbar and femoral neck BMD. How ever, after controlling for potential confounding factors, a correlation was found between vitamin D[25(OH)D] and both of lumbar (p=0.013) and femoral neck BMD(p=0.077). iPTH was inversely related to femoral neck BMD(p=0.004) only in multiple linear regression. CONCLUSION: Serum vitamin D[25(OH)D] was influencing both of vertebral and femoral neck BMD, which suggests a significant role of vitamin D deficiency in the pathogenesis of postmenopausal osteo- porosis. In age related remodeling and loss of bone, increased serum iPTH might have additive role in cortical bone of femur. These findings suggest that vitamin D is very important for optimal bone health and a deleterious effect of increased iPTH on cortical bone loss. Adequate calcium and vitamin D status have to be maintained to prevent osteoporosis in postmenopausal Korean women.
Aging ; Bone Density* ; Bone Resorption ; Calcium ; Female ; Femur ; Femur Neck ; Hip Fractures ; Humans ; Hyperparathyroidism, Secondary ; Linear Models ; Menarche ; Menopause ; Osteogenesis ; Osteoporosis ; Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal ; Parathyroid Hormone* ; Spine ; Tolnaftate ; Vitamin D Deficiency ; Vitamin D* ; Vitamins*

BACKGROUND: There are several ways to treat for recurrent pericardial effussion and cardiac tamponade due to malignancy. They are repeated pericardiocentesis, pericardial instillation of sclerosing and chemotherapeutic agents, surgical creation of a pericardial window and transthoracic pericardiectomy. Surgical techniques are usually effective but bear a significant morbidity and mortality especially in chronic debilitating cancer patients. So percutaneous balloon pericardial window as an alternative to surgery in these patients. METHODS: After pericardiocentesis was performed, a 0.035 inch J-tip guidewire was advanced into the pericardial space. And a pigtail catheter was advanced over the wire. A moderate amount of pericardial fluid were removed. A nd then the pigtail catheter was withdrawn and 8F sheath was inserted. A20mm diameter, 4cm long(Single balloon method) or two 10mm diameter, 4cm long balloon dilating catheter(Double balloon medium) was advanced over the wire to straddle the parietal pericardial border though the sheath. Several inflations of the balloon with a solution containing 50% radiographic contrast medium were performed until disappearance of the balloon waist. After balloon dilation, contrast medium from the pericardial space to subcutaneous tisse suggesting successful PBPWF. Single ballon method was employed in 4 patients and Dould balloon method in 2 patients. RESULT: We performed percutaneous balloon pericardial window formation in 6 patiemts with malignant pericardial effusion. We did percutaneous balloon pericardial window formation successfully in 5 patients and failed due to adhesion of parietal pericardium in 1 patient. One patient developed recurrent pericardial effusion with tamponade at a mean follow-up of 11.49.6 months(1.5-26 months). Conclusion: These results suggest that PBPWF is an alternative method less invasive than subxiphoid surgical windowing, espesially in critically ill patients with recurrent malignant pericardial effussion. It carries less risks and has more constant effect than repeated pericardiocentesis.
Cardiac Tamponade ; Catheters ; Critical Illness ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Mortality ; Pericardial Effusion* ; Pericardiectomy ; Pericardiocentesis ; Pericardium ; Rabeprazole

No abstract available.
Mitral Valve*

OBJECTIVES: Cancer is the second most frequent cause of death in Korea. Cancer screening tests can save lives through early detection. Enhancing the cancer screening rate is an important strategy for reducing cancer mortality. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the screening rate and related factors in a rural area. The study investigated relationships between sociodemographic characteristics, several preventive behaviors, and the experience of several cancer screening behaviors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study population was recruited voluntarily from the three rural areas(Myen) in Chungju city. The participants completed structured questionnaire from July 21, 1998 to July 26, 1998. RESULTS: The proportions of the study population who had previously received stomach, liver, breast, or cervix cancer screening tests were 24.5%, 18.5%, 27.0%, 59.2% respectively. The 1-year screening rates of stomach, liver, breast, and cervix cancer were 7.4%, 6.8%, 8.6%, 15.6% respectively. In multivariate logistic analysis, some sociodemographic variables, preventive behaviors, or psychological variables were significantly associated with several cancer screening tests. Those who had previously received a stomach cancer screening test were significantly associated with the presence of chronic disease, physician? recommendation, use of alcohol family history of cancer, or previous liver cancer screening test. Those who had previously received a liver cancer screening test were associated with education level, physician? recommendation and previous stomach cancer screening test. Those who had received a cervix cancer screening test were significantly associated with education level, presence of a transportation vehicle, physician? recommendation use of alcohol and previous breast cancer screening test. And those who had received a previous breast cancer screening test were significantly associated with age, marital status, and earlier cervix cancer screening test. CONCLUSION: Based on the results of this study a strategy to promote cancer screening and health objectives at the district level can be made.
Breast ; Breast Neoplasms ; Cause of Death ; Chronic Disease ; Chungcheongbuk-do ; Early Detection of Cancer* ; Education ; Humans ; Korea ; Liver ; Liver Neoplasms ; Marital Status ; Mass Screening ; Mortality ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Stomach ; Stomach Neoplasms ; Transportation ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms

No abstract available.
Urolithiasis*