Dementia as a public health problem looms as an epidemic of the 21st century. The aging population places an increasing number of individuals at risk for dementia. It is predicted that the proportion of the population over 65 years will exceed 14% by 2022 in Korea. This paper aims at summarizing epidemiologic characteristics of dementia in the general population in Korea, which are essential to develop a preventive strategy to this dreadful disease. The prevalence of dementia has been estimated in several studies in Korea and was found to be around 9.5 to 13.0% among individuals aged 65 years and over, which appears a little higher than those reported in other countries. According to the etiologic subtypes, more than half of the cases are reported to be Alzheimer's disease (AD) in most studies, especially in studies conducted in rural areas. These results are similar to those reported in the western countries, with AD being more common. In Asia, it was expected that vascular dementia would be much more common than AD due to the high prevalence of cerebrovascular accidents. Women have a much higher prevalence rate than men in all studies, presumably due to the higher prevalence of AD among the oldest aged 80 and over. These phenomena may be related with the high rate of illiteracy and low level of education among women in this country. Further epidemiologic studies on the subtype and risk factors of dementia are necessary to develop a comprehensive strategy for prevention of this disease in Korea.
Aging ; Alzheimer Disease ; Asia ; Dementia* ; Dementia, Vascular ; Education ; Epidemiologic Studies ; Epidemiology* ; Female ; Humans ; Korea* ; Literacy ; Male ; Prevalence ; Public Health ; Risk Factors ; Stroke

Child abuse and neglect are also becoming a serious threat to the health of children in Korea. Physicians are in a unique position to detect the injuries and behavioral problems resulting from child abuse or neglect. Physicians and other professionals providing services to children are required by Child Welfare Law to report suspected incidents of child abuse or neglect. Every Province now has a Child Abuse Hotline to make a report by telephone ; the hotline in Korea in area code+1361 (toll free). It is crucial that physicians define their role and develop the appropriate clinical skills to manage child abuse or neglect effectively. The role of physician in the prevention and treatment of child abuse or neglect traditionally has been one of detection, medical diagnosis, and treatment or referral. However, the role can be greatly expanded. They may serve on hospital child protection teams, provide medical services to private service agencies, participate in community multidisciplinary review boards and advisory boards of voluntary agencies, or testify as an expert witness. This article defines the emerging role of physicians in prevention and treatment of child abuse. It reflects the strategic agenda of the Korean Medical Association for promotion of optimal child health and development.
Child ; Child Abuse* ; Child Health ; Child Welfare ; Child* ; Clinical Competence ; Diagnosis ; Expert Testimony ; Hotlines ; Humans ; Jurisprudence ; Korea ; Physician's Role* ; Problem Behavior ; Referral and Consultation ; Telephone

No abstract available.
Adolescent* ; Erotica* ; Humans

No abstract available.

No abstract available.
Thumb* ; Toes*

Hydrocephalus is a common malformation of the central nervous system and its cause may be either congenital or acquired. The imbalance between CSF formation and absorption, obstruction of CSF pathways, impaired venous absorption, and over secretion of CSF results in excessive accumulation of the fluid in the ventricles, leading to hydrocephalus. Although ventriculo-peritoneal shunt is regarded as the main and definitive therapy for rapidly progressive hydrocephalus, shunts in newborns have a high failure rate and thus there have been a search for alternative non-invasive techniques. Acetazolamide is a carbonic anhy- drase inhibitor, which acts by reducing production of CSF in the choroid plexus. Admini- stration of acetazolamide will decrease the rate of CSF production, preventing progressive ventricular enlargement. We experienced three cases of neonatal hydrocephalus successfully treated by long-term administration of acetazolamide. Brief review and related literatures were also presented.
Absorption ; Acetazolamide* ; Carbon ; Central Nervous System ; Choroid Plexus ; Humans ; Hydrocephalus* ; Infant, Newborn ; Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt

No abstract available.
Addison Disease*

No abstract available.
Temporomandibular Joint*

No abstract available.
Plasma* ; Rabbits* ; Titanium*

The fact that therapeutic hypothermia (TH) has lowered intracranial pressure and protected brain in severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) is well known throughout past sources and experimental data. In this paper, the result of TH in TBI needs to be confirmed. The result of North American Brain Injury Study; Hypothermia (NAVIS-H) 1 and 2, Eurotherm3235, Japan trauma society study was reviewed throughout randomized controlled study which performed recently. The prognosis was not confirmed throughout TH in NAVIS-H1; however, there was statistical significance among the group of 45 years or less and below 35 degree in celcius which checked when he or she visited initially. Hence, NAVIS-H2 study was preceded. In patient who had surgically removed hematoma, the effects of TH were proved compared to diffuse brain damage in NAVIS-H2 study. This was found in the result of Japan neurotrauma data bank. Eurotherm study has been doing, which leads to collect many data later on. The TBI of TH makes them better prognosis in patients who had surgically removed hematoma and lowered initial body temperature. Later on, it is considered further study is necessary.
Body Temperature ; Brain ; Brain Injuries* ; Hematoma ; Humans ; Hypothermia* ; Intracranial Pressure ; Japan ; Prognosis