OBJECTIVE: Dementia is major neuropsychiatic disorder in the elderly. This study was aimed to investigate the prevalence of dementia and provide fundamental data for community mental health programs. METHOD: 500 elderly people aged 65 years and over in Kwachon were interviewed according to DSM-IV and examined MMSE-K, Korea-Dementia Rating Scale (K-DRS), Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR), Modified Hatchinski Ischemic Scale (MHIS) by trained research assistants. RESULTS: Prevalence of dementia is 10.6% (Alzheimer type 8.0%;vascular type 2.6%). Old age, lower education, cardiovascular disease, head trauma and heavy smoking seem to be risk factors for developing dementia but sex difference is non significant. CONCLUSION: The results showed similar prevalence rates compared to other epidemiological studies. Demented group showed more cognitive disturbances than non-demented one. For patients of dementia, appropriate treatment and management by family members, other caregivers and mental health professionals are needed.
Aged ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Caregivers ; Craniocerebral Trauma ; Dementia* ; Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders ; Education ; Epidemiologic Studies* ; Epidemiology ; Gyeonggi-do ; Humans ; Korea* ; Mental Health ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Sex Characteristics ; Smoke ; Smoking

OBJECTIVE: Depression in the elderly is a major health concern that can be life threatening if not recognized and treated. Despite considerable interest, there in no consensus regarding the prevalence of depression in later life. This study was aimed to investigate the prevalence of major depressive disorder in the population over age 65 years and provide fundamental data for community mental health programs. METHOD: 500 elderly people aged over 65 years and oner in Kwachon were interviewed according to DSM-IV and examined Geriatric Depression Scale(GDS), Korea Depression Scale(KDS), MMSE-K, Korea-Dementia Rating Scale(K-DRS), etc. by trained researchers. RESULTS: Of the sample, prevalence of mild, moderate and severe depressive symptoms are 18.8%, 7.4%, and 17.8%, respectively. Prevalence of major depressive disorder is found to be 7.8%. There is no significant differences between depressive & non-depressive groups in the sociodemographic variables such as sex, age, education, family type, etc. Major depressive disorder is associated with physical illness, stressful life events, and cognitive dysfunction. CONCLUSION: The results showed similar prevalence rates to other epidemiological studies. Depressed group showed more psychological distress, stressful life events and cognitive dysfunctions than non-depressed group. Accurate and early diagnosis and adequate treatment favor a good prognosis.
Aged ; Consensus ; Depression* ; Depressive Disorder, Major ; Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders ; Early Diagnosis ; Education ; Epidemiologic Studies* ; Epidemiology ; Gyeonggi-do ; Humans ; Korea* ; Mental Health ; Prevalence ; Prognosis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: IgG subclass deficiency has been reported in patients with bronchial asthma and is associated with recurrent respiratory tract infections. This study was done to identify prevalence of IgG subclass deficiency and to evaluate the possible difference between atopic and non-atopic asthmatics. Subjects and METHODS: We measured serum levels of IgG and IgG subclass in 35 asthmatic patients and 50 healthy controls using nephelometry. Reference values of each IgG subclass was defined as cumulative percentile between 2.5% to 97.5% of controls. RESULTS: Total IgG, IgG1 and IgG2 of asthmatics were significantly lower than for those of controls(p<0.05, respectively). In atopic asthmatics, compared with non-atopic asthmatics, IgG4 level was significantly higher (p<0.05). The frequency of IgG subclass levels below the reference value was eight (22.9%) of 35 asthmatics. CONCLUSION: IgG, IgG1 and IgG2 were significantly lower in asthmatic patients. Some patients had IgG subclass levels below reference value. Further studies will be needed to evaluate their clinical significance.
Asthma* ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G* ; Nephelometry and Turbidimetry ; Prevalence ; Reference Values ; Respiratory Tract Infections

PURPOSE: Acupuncture has recently been accepted as a treatment option for managing postoperative ileus (POI) and various functional gastrointestinal disorders. Therefore, we conducted a prospective randomized study to evaluate the effect of acupuncture on POI and other surgical outcomes in patients who underwent gastric surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-six patients who underwent distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer from March to December 2015 were randomly assigned to acupuncture or non-acupuncture (NA) groups at 1:1 ratio. The acupuncture treatment was administered treatment once daily for 5 consecutive days starting at postoperative day 1. The primary outcome measure was the number of remnant sitz markers in the small intestine on abdominal radiograph. The secondary outcome measure was the surgical outcome, including the times to first flatus, first defecation, start of water intake, and start of soft diet, as well as length of hospital stay and laboratory findings. RESULTS: The acupuncture group had significantly fewer remnant sitz markers in the small intestine on postoperative days 3 and 5 compared to those in the NA group. A significant difference was observed in the numbers of remnant sitz markers in the small intestine with respect to group differences by time (P<0.0001). The acupuncture group showed relatively better surgical outcomes than those in the NA group, but the differences were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: In this clinical trial, acupuncture promoted the passage of sitz markers, which may reflect the possibility of reducing POI after distal gastrectomy.
Acupuncture* ; Defecation ; Diet ; Drinking ; Flatulence ; Gastrectomy* ; Gastrointestinal Diseases ; Humans ; Ileus* ; Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction ; Intestine, Small ; Length of Stay ; Outcome Assessment (Health Care) ; Prospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms*

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to evaluate accuracy of newly developed HCV Ab test kits by Korea Green Cross Co.(Yongin, Kyunggi), namely GenediaTM HCV ELISA 3.0 (ELISA) for routine test, GenediaTM HCV Rapid (RAPID) for quick screening. and GenediaTM HCV Confirm 4.0 (CONFIRM) for confirmation. METHODS: Performance of ELISA was compared with that of Ortho HCV 3.0 ELISA (Neckargemund, Germany; ORTHO ELISA) using 990 patients' sera. Accuracy of RAPID was evaluated by testing on 114 HCV Ab negative and 86 positive specimens by ELISA. Discrepant results obtained by RAPID were confirmed by Chiron RIBA HCV 3.0 Strip Immunoblot Assay (Ca, USA; RIBA) and HCV Blot 3.0 (Genelabs Diagnostics, Singapore; BLOT). Accuracy of CONFIRM test was compared between RIBA and BLOT using 78 ELISA positive sera. To elucidate prevalence of viremia, RT-PCR was performed on 165 serum samples and results were compared with that of ELISA and RAPID. RESULTS: Agreement of test results between ELISA and ORTHO ELISA was 99.6% (986/990). On HCV Ab negative specimens 99.1% (113/114) agreed among RAPID, ELISA and ORTHO ELISA. However, on seropositive specimens 91.7% (79/86) agreed between RAPID and ELISA. Agreement between CONFIRM and RIBA was 83.3% (65/78). Core antigen showed the highest reactivity and NS5 antigen showed the lowest reactivity with CONFIRM. HCV RNA was detected in 58.3% (28/48) of ELISA positive specimens, however, it was not detected in ELISA negative specimens. There was no correlation between prevalence of HCV RNA and 5 antigens used in ELISA test. CONCLUSIONS: Newly developed Korea Green Cross GenediaTM HCV ELISA 3.0, Rapid and HCV Confirm were considered to be clinically accurate routine, quick screening and confirmatory test for detecting HCV Ab in serum samples.
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay* ; Germany ; Hepatitis C Antibodies* ; Korea ; Mass Screening ; Prevalence ; RNA ; Singapore ; Viremia

PURPOSE: Acute or chronic prostatic inflammation exists to varying degrees in surgical specimens of prostates, extirpated for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH). We investigated the relationship between acute urinary retention(AUR) and intraprostatic inflammation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 1997 and December 2006, 221 patients underwent transurethral resection of the prostate(TURP) for the treatment of BPH. The patients were divided into 2 groups based on the indication for surgery; an AUR group and a lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) group. The area of acute inflammation, the extent, and the aggressiveness of chronic inflammation were classified into four grades. The grades of inflammation, prostate volume, age, serum prostate-specific antigen(PSA), and prior medical treatment were compared between the two groups. All specimens were reviewed by one pathologist. RESULTS: The AUR group consisted of 106(47.9%) patients, and the LUTS group consisted of 115(52.1%) patients. There were no statistical differences between the two groups with respect to the mean values of the age, prostate size, and severity of chronic inflammation. There was a significant relationship between AUR and the areas of acute inflammation, and the extent of chronic inflammation(p=0.014 and p=0.003, respectively). The aggressiveness of chronic inflammation had no relationship with AUR (p=0.062). The serum PSA level was higher in the AUR group than the LUTS group(11.5 vs. 5.3ng/ml, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The association for AUR with acute and chronic inflammation was stronger than that which existed with prostate size. Thus intraprostatic inflammation is an important risk factor in AUR.
Humans ; Inflammation ; Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms ; Prostate ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; Prostatitis ; Risk Factors ; Urinary Retention

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to verify discriminant validity and the clinical cutoff score of Child Behavior Checklist 1.5-5 in the diagnosis of developmental delayed infants. METHODS: The participants were screened by Denver II which includes 156 developmental delayed infants and 288 normal infants. Chi-squared test, t-test, ROC curve analysis, odds ratio analysis were performed on the data. RESULTS: Only 47 items out of 99 items among the CBCL 1.5-5 of total groups, 36 items of boys and 48 items of girls, discriminated developmental delayed infants well. Discriminant validity was confirmed by mean differences on the subscales of Withdrawn, Sleep Problems, Attention Problems, Internalizing Problems, Externalizing Problems, Total Problems, DSM Pervasive Developmental Problems and DSM Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Problems between the two groups. Additionally, ROC analyses demonstrated that Withdrawn, Attention Problems, Internalizing Problems, Total Behavior Problems and DSM Pervasive Developmental Problems significantly predicted developmental delayed infants compared to normal infants. Also, the clinical cutoff score criteria adopted in the Korean CBCL 1.5-5 for subscales of Withdrawn, Attention Problems, Internalizing Problems, Total Behavior Problems and DSM Pervasive Developmental Problems were shown to be valid. CONCLUSION: The subscales of Withdrawn, Attention Problems, Internalising Problems, Total Behavior Problems and DSM Pervasive Developmental Problems significantly discriminated in the diagnosis of developmental delayed infants well.
Checklist ; Child ; Child Behavior ; Humans ; Infant ; Odds Ratio ; ROC Curve

PURPOSE: We compare the effectiveness and safety of transurethral resection of the prostate(TURP) with those of open prostatectomy for large benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH), that was over 70cc of prostate volume. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-one patients with a prostate volume of more than 70cc and who received TURP were classified to group A, while 41 patients who received open prostatectomy were classified to group B. The International Prostate Symptom Score(IPSS), maximal flow rate(Qmax) and post-voiding residual urine(PVR) volume were evaluated preoperatively and at 1, 3, 5 and over 5 years postoperatively. RESULTS: The postoperative IPSS, Qmax and PVR were significantly improved after 1 year(p<0.05). The IPSS and Qmax showed no significant differences between the two groups for 1, 3, 5 and over 5 years after operation(p>0.05). The PVR was significantly lower in group B at 1 year post-operation(p<0.05), but there were no significant difference between the groups for 3, 5 and over 5 years after operation(p>0.05). There were 7 cases(9.8%) of re-operation and 3 cases(4.2%) of re-medication after 5 years of operation. There were no major complications for each group. CONCLUSIONS: On comparison between TURP and open prostatectomy for the patients with large BPH, there were no significant difference in effectiveness and safety for 5 years. Even for the patients with BPH that showed a high volume, TURP is an effective operation that can replace open prostatectomy.
Humans ; Prostate ; Prostatectomy ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; Transurethral Resection of Prostate

PURPOSE: Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is thought to have not only low frequency of adverse side effects but also have equal efficacy to other conventional immunosuppressants (CIS). But It's hard to conclude that CIS may be replaceable with MMF. So we inquired into another aspect of MMF as 'Rescue therapy' in non-transplant renal diseases. METHODS: Twenty nine patients with non-transplant renal diseases received MMF therapy between January 2000 and April 2007. Eighteen patients who had received MMF more than 6 months were included. Sixteen of the 18 patients included were resistant to CIS and two were patients who maintained complete remission (CR) with MMF because of the adverse side effects of CIS. Treatment outcome was evaluated by dip-stick urine test. CR was defined by negative or trace, partial remission (PR) by 1 positive and treatment failure (TF) by more than 1 positive. RESULTS: Eleven of the resistant 16 patients had shown CR (69%) and maintained CR. Two of maintenance therapy with MMF had kept CR more than 12 months. The proportions of the patients who had shown decreased proteinuria in each treatment duration were 69% for 3 months (p=0.005), 81% for 6 months (p=0.001), 86% for 9 months (p=0.002) and 91% for 12 months (p=0.004), respectively. There were few adverse effects. CONCLUSION: We observed the efficacy of MMF in decreasing proteinuria and maintaining CR as 'Rescue therapy' for previously treated non-transplant renal disease patients with CIS. Large controlled clinical trials are expected for defining this effect.
Humans ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; Kidney Diseases ; Mycophenolic Acid ; Proteinuria ; Treatment Failure ; Treatment Outcome

PURPOSE: The prognostic value of p53 remains controversial in transitional cell carcinomas of the bladder. Survivin, an inhibitor of apoptosis, is expressed in many human cancers. Recent studies have reported increased expression of survivin in superficial transitional cell carcinomas of the bladder. We investigated the expression of survivin and p53 and the clinical implications of this expression in superficial transitional cell carcinomas of the bladder. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Immunohistochemical staining of paraffin sections using a monoclonal antibody for survivin and p53 was performed in 82 cases of superficial transitional cell carcinomas of the bladder. Correlations between the expression of survivin and p53 and clinicopathological features, such as age, multiplicity of tumor, size, recurrence, and progression, were examined. RESULTS: Among 82 cases, positive survivin expression (greater than 20%) was observed in 59 cases. Positive p53 expression (greater than 20%) was observed in 46 cases. There were no significant differences in age, gender, multiplicity, tumor size, tumor grade, pT stage, recurrence, or progression-free survival between p53-positive and p53-negative groups (p>0.05). Also, there were no significant differences in age, gender, multiplicity, tumor size, tumor grade, or pT stage between survivin-positive and survivin-negative groups (p>0.05). However, recurrent-free and progression-free survivals were significantly lower in the survivin-positive group than in the survivin-negative group (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The expression of survivin can be recommended as a useful marker for predicting disease recurrence and progression. Survivin may be superior to p53 as a prognostic factor in superficial transitional cell carcinoma of bladder.
Apoptosis ; Carcinoma, Transitional Cell ; Disease-Free Survival ; Genes, p53 ; Humans ; Paraffin ; Recurrence ; Urinary Bladder ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms