Korean autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) criteria 2007 was aimed to diagnose the wide spectrum of AIP with high sensitivity. The most crucial issue when caring for patients with suspected AIP is to differentiate AIP from pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic cancer can be distinguished from AIP by pancreatic imaging, measurement of serum IgG4 levels, endoscopic ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration and trucut biopsy, and steroid trial. Autoimmune pancreatitis is a rare systemic fibroinflammatory disease which can affect not only the pancreas, but also a variety of organs such as the bile ducts, salivary glands, retroperitoneum, and lymph nodes. Organs affected by AIP have a lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate rich in IgG4-positive cells. This inflammatory process responds dramatically to oral steroid therapy. Granulocytic epithelial lesion (GEL) positive AIP patients differ from GEL negative AIP patients in clinical features such as equal gender ratio, younger mean age, no increase in serum IgG4, no association with extrapancreatic involvement, no relapse, and frequent association with inflammatory bowel disease. Further investigation is needed to clarify the pathogenic mechanisms including more definite serological markers for theses two entities.
Autoimmune Diseases/*diagnosis/pathology/ultrasonography ; Common Bile Duct/radiography ; Fibrosis/pathology ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G/blood ; Pancreatitis/*diagnosis/pathology/ultrasonography ; Salivary Glands/pathology

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Current international guidelines recommend colorectal cancer screening for average-risk people over 50 years of age. Accordingly, we aimed to estimate the prevalence of colorectal neoplasms in all age groups and evaluate associated risk factors. METHODS: Data of 14,932 subjects who underwent colonoscopy from July 2006 to January 2012 at Health Promotion Center, Gangnam Severance Hospital (Seoul, Korea) as part of a health check-up were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of colorectal neoplasms and adenoma were 34.6% and 25.3%, respectively. Colorectal adenoma was found in 3.2%, 13.0%, 21.7%, 33.8%, 44.0%, 50.5%, and 54.2% of subjects under 30 years, 30-39 years, 40-49 years, 50-59 years, 60-69 years, 70-79 years, and over 80 years of age (trend p<0.0001). Independent predictors of colorectal adenoma included male gender (OR 2.38, 95% CI 2.084-2.718), positive occult blood (2.266, 1.761-2.917), positive serology of Helicobacter pylori (1.253, 1.114-1.409) and hypertriglyceremia (1.267, 1.065-1.508). Compared to the 30-39 years of age reference group, the ORs for each age group were 0.195 (under 30 years), 1.634 (40-49 years), 2.954 (50-59 years), 5.159 (60-69 years), 5.640 (70-79 years), 11.020 (over 80 years), while the 95% CIs were 0.071-0.536 (under 30 years), 1.340-1.992 (40-49 years), 2.421-3.604 (50-59 years), 4.109-6.476 (60-69 years), 3.822-8.322 (70-79 years), and 2.809-42.234 (over 80 years). CONCLUSIONS: Colorectal adenoma prevalence increased proportionally with age. Only subjects under the age of 30 years had a definitely lower prevalence of colorectal adenoma. Male gender, positive occult blood, positive serology of H. pylori, and hypertriglyceremia were associated risk factors of colorectal adenoma.
Adenoma/*epidemiology/etiology ; Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Colonoscopy ; Colorectal Neoplasms/*epidemiology/etiology ; Female ; Helicobacter Infections/complications ; Helicobacter pylori ; Humans ; Hypertriglyceridemia/complications ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Odds Ratio ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Retrospective Studies ; Sex Factors

Paragonimiasis has been continuously decreasing in Korea. However, it still occurs by ingesting raw or incompletely cooked fresh water crab or crayfish. The diagnosis of paragonimiasis is challenging because of its rarity. It may be confused with other inflammatory disease or carcinomatosis. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) has lower risk of complications such as bleeding, perforation than percutaneous fine needle aspiration. EUS-FNA is more accurate and popular method to find mucosal or submucosal tumors and the lesions of several organs. Benign and malignant tumors, infectious diseases have been diagnosed by EUS-FNA, but there was no report describing the use of EUS-FNA for diagnosing paragonimiasis. Herein, we present a 47-year-old male patient with paragonimiasis diagnosed by EUS-FNA. Imaging studies revealed mass lesions in the lung and peritoneal cavity, which was eventually confirmed as paragonimiasis using EUS-FNA.
Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Fine Needle Aspiration ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms/pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Paragonimiasis/*diagnosis/diagnostic imaging/immunology ; Positron-Emission Tomography ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Circumferential resection by performing endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) in the antrum can cause pyloric stenosis. Treatment with balloon dilation usually requires repeated sessions and this may cause bleeding or perforation. There are several studies regarding the treatment of benign pyloric stenosis by the temporary placement of self-expandable metallic stent (SEMS), but these studies did not include any case of pyloric stenosis caused by ESD for treating early gastric cancer (EGC). We experience a case of a man who had EGC encircling the antrum. After ESD, pyloric stenosis occurred and so a SEMS was applied. Eight weeks later, the stent was removed without complications. Stent insertion for benign pyloric stenosis has not been accepted as a standard therapeutic modality. However, continuous dilation of a stenotic lesion can be expected without major complications, except for migration. Therefore, temporary stent insertion can be considered as an alternative treatment option for benign pyloric stenosis. Further study on the long term outcome of this procedure is needed.
Hemorrhage ; Pyloric Stenosis ; Stents ; Stomach Neoplasms

BACKGROUND: In the Republic of Korea, due to the low birth rate, blood donation is expected to decrease. However, the demand for blood is increasing as the proportion of elderly has increased. Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention operate the Korea Blood Inventory Monitoring System (KBIMs) for detection and response to the shortage of blood. The aim of this study was to show the trend of blood supply monitored by KBIMs. METHODS: This study analyzed the red blood cell inventory ratio, average daily usage, time-lag from blood donation to transfusion and from receipt to transfusion in blood banks monitored by KBIMs from 2009 to 2012. RESULTS: A total of 25 hospitals have participated in KBIMs since 2009. The average inventory ratio of blood banks was 5.3 days. By month, the inventory ratio was highest between November and February; and by week, highest on Fridays. Daily amount of RBC utilized in hospitals peaked on Thursday by week. Time-lag from blood donation to transfusion and from receipt to transfusion in blood banks was 12.2 and 6.4 days, respectively. The inventory ratio of type-A RBC was the lowest, because of the highest level of demand. In addition, time-lags from blood donation to transfusion and from receipt to transfusion were shortest in type-A RBC. CONCLUSION: The inventory ratio in blood banks monitored by KBIMs was stable throughout the years. However, due to higher level of demand, there is a risk of shortage of type-A RBC.
Aged ; Birth Rate ; Blood Banks ; Blood Donors ; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.) ; Erythrocytes ; Humans ; Korea ; Republic of Korea

Juvenile Polyposis Syndrome is a rare condition that is characterized by the development of multiple polyps in the gastrointestinal tract. It is a hamartomatous disorder that was first described in families in 1964. Both sporadic and familial cases with autosomal dominant inheritance have been reported on. Juvenile Polyposis Syndrome is regarded as a distinct from the solitary juvenile polyps that develop in 2% of children and adolescents, and the latter have no malignant potential. We report here on a case of Juvenile Polyposis Syndrome in an 18 year old male along with a review of the relevant literature. The patient had various numbers of different sized pedunculated polyps that were observed throughout the entire gastrointestinal tract.
Adolescent ; Child ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Humans ; Intestinal Polyposis ; Male ; Neoplastic Syndromes, Hereditary ; Polyps ; Wills

BACKGROUND: Diabetes is common among elderly, and low-income is associated with poor adherence to treatment and increased mortality. We evaluated whether comprehensive support using community networks improves glycemic control among low-income elderly patients with diabetes. METHODS: A total of 49 low-income elderly patients with type 2 diabetes, mean age 73 years, were enrolled. For 1 year, study subjects underwent various lifestyle modification programs provided by community networks. The biochemical data including glycemic markers and anthropometric data were obtained at the baseline and at the end of the study. Also, the patients were asked to complete a questionnaire about their quality of life, self-confidence and self-care behavior. RESULTS: After lifestyle modification program, overall changes of fasting plasma glucose, HbA1c, blood pressure, body weight, and other biochemical markers were not significantly different. In a subgroup analysis of 21 patients with poorly controlled diabetes (fasting glucose > 140 mg/dL or HbA1c > 7.5%), fasting plasma glucose was significantly reduced (P = 0.030). Among patients with baseline HbA1c level > or = 8%, HbA1c levels after intervention decreased from 9.33 +/- 1.07% to 8.27 +/- 1.15% (P = 0.092). The results of the questionnaires revealed significant increases in the scores of quality of life, self-confidence and self-care behavior (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Among low-income, elderly patients with type 2 diabetes, lifestyle modification through community networks showed no significant changes in glycemic control markers. More intensive and precise interventions using community networks are needed for the glycemic control of low-income, elderly patients with type 2 diabetes.
Aged ; Biomarkers ; Blood Pressure ; Body Weight ; Community Networks ; Fasting ; Glucose ; Humans ; Life Style ; Plasma ; Quality of Life ; Self Care ; Surveys and Questionnaires

BACKGROUND/AIMS: In South Korea, health check-ups are readily accessible to the public. We aimed to compare the prevalence of upper gastrointestinal (GI) and lower GI diseases in Korean Americans and native Koreans to determine differences and risk factors. METHODS: In total, 1,942 subjects who visited Gangnam Severance Hospital from July 2008 to November 2010 for a health check-up were enrolled. Basic characteristics and laboratory data for the subjects were collected. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy and colonoscopy were performed. In total, 940 Korean Americans (group 1) and 1,002 native Koreans (group 2) were enrolled. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of GI diseases for each group (group 1 vs group 2) were as follows: reflux esophagitis (RE) (9.65% vs 7.9%), gastric ulcer (2.8% vs 3.4%), duodenal ulcer (2.3% vs 3.6%), gastric cancer (0.4% vs 0.3%), colorectal polyp (35.9% vs 35.6%), colorectal cancer (0.5% vs 0.5%), and hemorrhoids (29.4% vs 21.3%). The prevalence of hemorrhoids was significantly higher in group 1 than in group 2 (p=0.001). In the multivariable analysis of group 1, male sex, age over 50 years, hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia predicted colorectal polyps. Male sex and high fasting glucose levels were associated with RE. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that the prevalence of GI diseases (except hemorrhoids) in Korean Americans was similar to that observed in native Koreans. Therefore, the Korean guidelines for upper and lower screening endoscopy may be applicable to Korean Americans.
Asian Americans ; Colonoscopy ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; Duodenal Ulcer ; Endoscopy ; Endoscopy, Digestive System ; Esophagitis, Peptic ; Fasting ; Gastrointestinal Diseases ; Glucose ; Hemorrhoids ; Humans ; Hypercholesterolemia ; Hypertriglyceridemia ; Male ; Mass Screening ; Polyps ; Prevalence ; Republic of Korea ; Risk Factors ; Stomach Neoplasms ; Stomach Ulcer

Solid organ transplant recipients are at increased risk for various opportunistic infections because of their immunocompromised state. Pneumocystis jirovecii (carinii) infection has posed serious problems in these patients which can be life threatening. It has been reported that incidences of Pneumocystis infection have dramatically decreased with the use of prophylactic antibiotics. However, there have been reports that say the risks of Pneumocystis infection are increasing with the use of new immunosuppressive drugs and in presence of preceding immunomodulating infections such as CMV infection which is another common opportunistic infection in transplant patients. There were only a few case reports abroad on Pneumocystis infection following CMV infection in patients who underwent kidney transplantation. In Korea, however, there hasnt been any report of such cases. Herein we report a case of a kidney transplant patient who experienced a serious episode of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia following CMV duodenitis. After adequate mechanical ventilation and use of antibiotics the patient completely recovered without any complications.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Cytomegalovirus ; Duodenitis ; Humans ; Incidence ; Kidney ; Kidney Transplantation ; Korea ; Opportunistic Infections ; Pneumocystis ; Pneumocystis Infections ; Pneumocystis jirovecii ; Pneumonia ; Respiration, Artificial ; Transplants