OBJECTIVE: To analyze 543 cases of amniocentesis with indications, cytogenetic results. METHOD: This study includes 543 cases cytogenetic study results which amniocentesis to detect fetal chromosomal abnormality in the Cytogenetic Laboratory at Eun Hospital in Kwang-Ju from August 1996 to December 2000, as gestational ages, indications of amniocentesis, maternal age distributions, chromosome aberrations with cytogenetic results. The cytogenetic results of chromosome aberration was identified by parents inheritance and de novo karyotypes as parents periperal blood cytogenetic study. RESULTS: Amniocentesis performed mostly from 15 weeks to 20 weeks of gestaional ages. Requested indication of amniocentesis presents abnormal maternal serum screening (37%), infertility (23%) and maternal old age (> or =35) (17%). Chromosome aberration according to amniocentesis indication was suspected fetal anomaly by ultrasonogram (8.6%), previous family history (5.7%). Chormosome aberration following maternal ages, more 40 years old women were found highly 7.9%. The frequency of chromosome aberration was 5.5% but de novo chromosome aberration was 2.2%. Numerical aberration was overall new karyotypes (1.3%). Structural aberration was inheritance karyotypes (3.3%) and de novo karyotypes (0.9%). CONCLUSION: Amniocentesis is a effective diagnostic tools in fetal chromosome aberration. Indication of fetal chromosomal anormality by ultrasonography and advanced maternal ages is an important diagnostic method with chromosome aberrations. Prenatal fetal chromosome aberrations included inheritance and de novo karyotypes. Especially, identification of de novo chromosome aberrations may predict fetal anomaly and counsel the fetus for pregnant parents.
Adult ; Amniocentesis* ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Cytogenetic Analysis* ; Cytogenetics* ; Female ; Fetus ; Gestational Age ; Gwangju ; Humans ; Infertility ; Karyotype ; Mass Screening ; Maternal Age ; Parents ; Ultrasonography ; Wills

Clinical observation was performed on 81 cases who were received exchange transfusion at Ilsin Christian Hospital from January, 1986 to Decrmber, 1990. The results obtained were as follows: 1) Among 6,388 cases of neonatal jaundice, the exchange transfusion was performed on 81 cases (1.27%). 2) There was no sex predominance (male 40, female 41). The birth weight of 75 cases(92.6%) ranged from 2,500 gm 4,000 gm. 3) The most predominant delivery type was normal vaginal delivery (66 cases, 81.5%). Instrumental delivery was 9 cases (11.1%) that was higher than control group (4.2%). 4) Analysing the exchanged 81 cases, sepsis accounted for 28 cases (34.6%) of the total exchanged group:ABO incompatibility 25 cases (30.9%), complicated causes 13 cases(16.0%), unknown causes 12 cases (14.8%) and Rh incompatibility 1 cases (1.2%). 5) Repeated exchange transfusion was required in 12 cases (16.0%). 6) In 20 cases (24.7%), exchange transfusion was performed on 7 days or more after birth. In 4 cases (4.9%), including 1 cases of Rh incompatibility, exchange transfusion was done within 24 hours after birth. 7) The most common organism of sepsis, which was the most predominant etiology of exchange transfusion was E. coli in 12 cases (31.5%). 8) After exchange transfusion, serum bilirubin, Hb and reticulocyte count were decreased by 24%, 22% and 36%, respectively.
Bilirubin ; Birth Weight ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Jaundice, Neonatal ; Parturition ; Reticulocyte Count ; Sepsis

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to examine the effects of egg consumption and suggest proper guidelines for consumption of eggs by determining the relationship between eggs and cholesterol. METHODS: Literature review was conducted on the relationship between nutritional, functional properties of eggs and serum cholesterol, as well as cardiovascular disease. RESULTS: Eggs, which are a good protein food with complete amino acid composition, contain vitamin A, riboflavin, vitamin B1(2), folic acid, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, calcium, iron, choline, selenium, beta-carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin, etc. However the egg yolk has a high cholesterol content, which is associated with chronic diseases, including heart disease and hypertension. As a result, its intake is subject to regulation. Outbreak of heart disease by yolk intake can show different results depending on the characteristics of the subjects, amount of egg intake, and the implications of other foods eaten. It is difficult to determine whether eggs are beneficial, as they are the main supplying source for other major nutritive elements as well. Several research studies insist that when cholesterol intake increases by 100 mg, the level of serum cholesterol increases by 2.2~4.5 mg/dL and when serum cholesterol increases by 1%, the risk of heart disease increases by 2%. This indicates that a large intake of eggs can increase the risk of heart disease. Although the cholesterol of egg yolk and serum cholesterol are correlated, it is insufficient to conclude that only cholesterol and not other components are related to heart disease. In fact, other components in egg such as various unsaturated fatty acids and phospholipids could be related as well. Rather than concluding egg as a 'good' or 'bad' food according to its cholesterol content, it is important to define egg as a part of dietary patterns. CONCLUSION: Generalizing an indiscriminate and uniform amount of egg intake for all seems inadequate. However, patients with diabetes or heart disease should pay particular attention to the amount of egg intake. As for the norm, eating egg with vegetables as a substitute for other animal products seems beneficial.
Animals ; beta Carotene ; Calcium ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Cholesterol ; Choline ; Chronic Disease ; Eating ; Egg Yolk ; Eggs* ; Fatty Acids, Unsaturated ; Folic Acid ; Heart Diseases ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Iron ; Lutein ; Ovum* ; Phospholipids ; Riboflavin ; Selenium ; Vegetables ; Vitamin A ; Vitamin D ; Vitamin E ; Vitamin K ; Vitamins

BACKGROUND: Issues concerning with the classification accuracy of Korean Outpatient Groups (KOPGs) have been raised by providers and researchers. The KOPG is an outpatient classification system used to measure casemix of outpatient visits and to adjust provider risk in charges by the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service in managing insurance payments. The objective of this study were to refine KOPGs to improve the classification accuracy and to evaluate the refinement. METHODS: We refined the rules used to classify visits with multiple procedures, newly defined chemotherapy drug groups, and modified the medical visit indicators through reviews of other classification systems, data analyses, and consultations with experts. We assessed the improvement by measuring % of variation in case charges reduced by KOPGs and the refined system, Enhanced KOPGs (EKOPGs). We used claims data submitted by providers to the HIRA during the year 2012 in both refinement and evaluation. RESULTS: EKOPGs explicitly allowed additional payments for multiple procedures with exceptions of packaging of routine ancillary services and consolidation of related significant procedures, and discounts ranging from 30% to 70% were defined in additional payments. Thirteen chemotherapy drug KOPGs were added and medical visit indicators were streamlined to include codes for consultation fees for outpatient visits. The % of variance reduction achieved by EKOPGs was 48% for all patients whereas the figure was 40% for KOPGs, and the improvement was larger in data from tertiary and general hospitals than in data from clinics. CONCLUSION: A significant improvement in the performance of the KOPG was achieved by refining payments for visits with multiple procedures, defining groups for visits with chemotherapy, and revising medical visit indicators.
Classification ; Drug Therapy* ; Fee-for-Service Plans ; Fees and Charges ; Health Care Costs ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Information Systems ; Insurance ; Insurance Claim Review ; Insurance, Health ; Outpatients* ; Product Packaging ; Prospective Payment System ; Referral and Consultation

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to describe and explore the experience process of life of patients with Crohn's disease. METHODS: Using a grounded theory methodology, 24 interviews were performed with 7 men and 5 women, 17-47 years of age, suffering from Crohn's disease. RESULTS: 'Tuning of two conflicting lives' was identified as the core category, and 5 subcategories were identified and they were integrated into the core category. The identified outcomes were 'Living a withdrawn life', 'coping flexibly', 'drifting with tangled emotions' and 'maintaining long-term remission'. CONCLUSION: When caring for these patients, it is important to identify needs, allow patients to express what they want at that moment and support them in maintaining a daily life that can be perceived as normal.
Adaptation, Psychological ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Crohn Disease/*psychology ; Female ; Humans ; Interviews as Topic ; *Life Change Events ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Stress, Psychological ; Young Adult

PURPOSE: This cross-sectional study aimed to document the dietary behaviors, dietary changes, and health status of female marriage immigrants residing in Gwangju, Korea. METHODS: The survey included 92 female immigrants attending Korean language class at a multi-cultural family support center. General characteristics, health status, anthropometric data, dietary behaviors, and dietary changes were collected. RESULTS: Mean age of subjects was 31.3 years, and home countries of subjects were Vietnam (50.0%), China (26.0%), Philippines (12.0%), and others (12.0%). Frequently reported chronic diseases were digestive diseases (13.2%), anemia (12.1%), and neuropsychiatry disorder (8.9%). Seventeen percent of the subjects was obese (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m²). Dietary score by Mini Dietary Assessment was 3.45 out of 5 points. Dietary scores for dairy foods, meat/fish/egg/bean intake, meal regularity, and food variety were low, and those for fried foods and high fat meat intake were also low. Thirty-three percent of subjects answered that they have changed their diet and increased their consumption of fruits and vegetables after immigration. Length of residence in Korea was positively associated with BMI and waist circumference. Length of residence tends to be positively associated with dietary changes and obesity as well as inversely associated with disease prevalence. CONCLUSION: The study shows that length of residence is inversely related to disease prevalence. However, this association is thought to be due to the relatively short period of residence in Korea and thus the transitional phase to adapting to dietary practices. As the length of residence increases, disease patterns related to obesity are subject to change. Healthy dietary behaviors and adaptation to dietary practices in Korea in female marriage immigrants will not only benefit individuals but also their families and social structure. Therefore, varied, long-term, and target-specific studies on female marriage immigrants are highly needed.
Anemia ; China ; Chronic Disease ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Diet ; Emigrants and Immigrants* ; Emigration and Immigration ; Female* ; Fruit ; Gwangju* ; Humans ; Korea* ; Marriage* ; Meals ; Meat ; Neuropsychiatry ; Obesity ; Philippines ; Prevalence ; Vegetables ; Vietnam ; Waist Circumference

Hepatoid adenocarcinoma of the stomach is a gastric carcinoma with both adenocarcinomatous and hepatocellular carcinomatous differentiation. It usually produces large amount of serum alpha-fetoprotein. It often occurs in aged person, commonly located in the gastric antrum. Because of early lymph node and liver metastasis, prognosis is poor. A case of hepatoid adenocarcinoma of the stomach in a 49-year-old man is reported. The patient's serum alpha-fetoprotein level was high(3380ng/ml). Liver function test was normal, otherwise. A mass was observed in right lobe of the liver on US and CT. It was hypervascular with increased uptake of lipiodol on hepatic arteriography. A large ulcerative tumor involving the gastric antrum and body was also found at barium study of the stomach. Subtotal gastrectomy and right Iobectomy of the liver resulted in rapid decrease in serum alpha-fetoprotein. Histopathologically the diagnosis was hepatoid adenocarcinoma of the stomach with liver metastasis.
Adenocarcinoma* ; alpha-Fetoproteins ; Angiography ; Barium ; Diagnosis ; Ethiodized Oil ; Gastrectomy ; Humans ; Liver ; Liver Function Tests ; Lymph Nodes ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Prognosis ; Pyloric Antrum ; Stomach* ; Ulcer

Hepatoid adenocarcinoma of the stomach is a gastric carcinoma with both adenocarcinomatous and hepatocellular carcinomatous differentiation. It usually produces large amount of serum alpha-fetoprotein. It often occurs in aged person, commonly located in the gastric antrum. Because of early lymph node and liver metastasis, prognosis is poor. A case of hepatoid adenocarcinoma of the stomach in a 49-year-old man is reported. The patient's serum alpha-fetoprotein level was high(3380ng/ml). Liver function test was normal, otherwise. A mass was observed in right lobe of the liver on US and CT. It was hypervascular with increased uptake of lipiodol on hepatic arteriography. A large ulcerative tumor involving the gastric antrum and body was also found at barium study of the stomach. Subtotal gastrectomy and right Iobectomy of the liver resulted in rapid decrease in serum alpha-fetoprotein. Histopathologically the diagnosis was hepatoid adenocarcinoma of the stomach with liver metastasis.
Adenocarcinoma* ; alpha-Fetoproteins ; Angiography ; Barium ; Diagnosis ; Ethiodized Oil ; Gastrectomy ; Humans ; Liver ; Liver Function Tests ; Lymph Nodes ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Prognosis ; Pyloric Antrum ; Stomach* ; Ulcer

The authors report a case of ectopic paragonimiasis in a 33 year old Korean housewife who came to the hospital because of lower abdominal discomfortness and palpable mass. Parasitic granulomas involved the ovary and posterior wall of the uterine body. This report deals with the rare occurrence of a parasitic infestation in the ovary.

The authors report a case of ectopic paragonimiasis in a 33 year old Korean housewife who came to the hospital because of lower abdominal discomfortness and palpable mass. Parasitic granulomas involved the ovary and posterior wall of the uterine body. This report deals with the rare occurrence of a parasitic infestation in the ovary.