11,609 of childhood new outpatients seen in Department of Dermatology of Seoul National University Hospital from 1975 to 1984 were analyzed statistica,lly. The study results were summarized as follows: l. 11, 609 out of 48, 188 new outpatients were under 15 years old age, amounting to 24. l %. 2. The 10 most common dermatoses were atopic dermatitis, vitiligo, urticari, hemangiorna, contact dermatitis, fungal disease, molluscum contagiosum, scabies, impetigo and nevocellular neuvs. The most freguent age groups were 2 to 6 years amounting to 47 2p, af total outpatients. 4. The peak incidence occurred in August, while the lowest incidence occurred in November and October. 5. Dermatoses which showed increasing tendency were nevocellular nevus and vitiligo, those of decreasing tendency were contact dermatitis and impetigo,
Adolescent ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; Dermatitis, Contact ; Dermatology ; Humans ; Impetigo ; Incidence ; Molluscum Contagiosum ; Nevus ; Outpatients ; Scabies ; Seoul ; Skin Diseases* ; Statistics as Topic* ; Vitiligo

PURPOSE: Many studies from the past have indicated that women tend to have lower self- esteem than men. This cross-sectional study looks for this tendency in a medical school in Korea, where men are still thought to comprise much of a dominating force despite the current growth in number of female students in student body. Along with the cross-examination of possible gender difference in self-esteem, the significant and relevant factors will also be sought and discussed. METHODS: Questionnaires were obtained from 202 junior and senior students (125 male and 77 female students) in a medical school in Korea. Self-esteem was determined using the Rosenberg self-esteem scale (reliability = 86% in our study). Multiple regression analysis was used to determine gender difference in self-esteem and statistical relevance in each covariate. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in self-esteem between male and female medical students. Significant factors related to self-esteem include school rank, physical attractiveness, and depression, among which of them, depression was the strongest. CONCLUSION: Innate limitation of cross-sectional studies and evaluation of selected junior and senior students of a single medical school could possibly explain for the absence of gender difference in self-esteem in this study. Academic achievement and physical attractiveness are shown to be positive factors for self-esteem, while depression puts negative force in one's self-esteem.
Cross-Sectional Studies ; Depression ; Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Schools, Medical ; Students, Medical* ; Surveys and Questionnaires

BACKGROUND: Systemic arterial hypotension is relatively common following initiation of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Decreased blood viscosity is induced by acute normovolemic hemodilution (ANH) and by the use of crystalloid oxygenator prime. The purpose of this paper is to study the effect of ANH on mean arterial pressure, perfusion flow index and PaO2/FiO2 upon initiation of CPB, and on homologous blood usage during CPB in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery. METHODS: We reviewed 30 patients constituting an ANH group, and 30 patients in a control group who had undergone CABG surgery within the past 2 years. In the ANH group, 1 or 2 units of fresh autologous whole blood were sequestrated following induction of anesthesia. We compared mean arterial pressure, perfusion flow index, PaO2/FiO2, and hematocrit on the initiation of CPB, and homologous blood usage during and post CPB periods between the groups. RESULTS: Upon initiation of CPB, hematocrit in the ANH group was significantly less than in the control group, but there was no significant difference in mean arterial pressure, perfusion flow index or PaO2/FiO2 between the groups. The use of homologous blood during CPB in the ANH group was not significantly higher than in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Acute intraoperative normovolemic hemodilution in CABG surgery was safely performed without significant hypotension and increased homologous blood usage during CPB.
Anesthesia ; Arterial Pressure ; Blood Viscosity ; Cardiopulmonary Bypass* ; Coronary Artery Bypass* ; Coronary Vessels* ; Hematocrit ; Hemodilution* ; Humans ; Hypotension ; Oxygen ; Oxygenators ; Perfusion

With porcine vertebrae, the static and dynamic holding power of the pedicle screws under various conditions were measured to understand the biomechanical nature of the transpedicular screw fixation in spine. The objectives of the present study were; (1) to find the correlation between the insertion depth of the screw and the resulting holding power, (2) to determine the effect of bone cement augmentation on the screw fixation in a loosened hole, and (3) to assess the load-sharing mechanism between the cortical and the cancellous one surrounding the screw in this fixational system. The geomorphological characteristics of each porcine vertebra was measured directly with a micro-caliper. The bone mineral density of the specimens was also measured. Material with screw was holded in the fixed cross head of material testing system(Autograph E-10T). Testing force was applied and graph was obtained in the chart record. The results of the static pull-out tests in this study showed that there was a statistically-significant positive correlation between the screw diameter and the pull-out resistance(p < 0.05). The strength of the fixation did not actually increase as much as the insertion depth of the screw increased in these tests(r=0.457). In low-cycle fatigue tests, the increased number of cycles was required to clinical failure in the deeper-inserted crews. Considering the mechanical failure, a statistically-significant positive correlation between the failure cycle and the insertion depth was observed in both deep and shallow insertion groups(p < 0.05). Nonpressurized PMMA augmentation appeared to restore the ability of the screws to withstand pullout loading of the original value. On the effect of the cortical and cancellous bone, the most important factor was the cortical bone of the entrance near the screw.
Bone Density ; Fatigue ; Head ; In Vitro Techniques ; Pedicle Screws ; Polymethyl Methacrylate ; Spine

Background/Aims: Although metabolic syndrome has been associated with increasing medical costs worldwide, there have been no studies using a nationwide and longitudinal South Korean dataset. We investigated trends in subsidized medical costs among Korean adults with metabolic syndrome. Methods: This study was based on the National Sample Cohort database of South Korea. We used data of national health checkups in 2009 as well as data of subsidized prescription drugs and the Korean Classification of Disease diagnosis codes from claims in 2007 to 2008 to identify underlying diseases. We calculated the direct medical costs, which were subsidized by the Korean National Health Insurance, among 204,768 individuals older than 20 years from 2009 to 2013. Results: The proportion of subjects with metabolic syndrome was 27.2%. Direct medical costs for 5 years differed by a magnitude of 2.16 between subjects with and without metabolic syndrome. The costs increased by approximately 41.8% in the metabolic syndrome group in 5 years. Direct medical costs increased with every additional risk factor, even if a subject had less than three risk factors of metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome per se and all of its components, except low serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level, resulted in a significant increase in medical costs. Conclusions The medical costs of subjects with metabolic syndrome were higher than that of those without metabolic syndrome and it increased with the number of risk factors. Further research using cumulative data of more than 10 years, including unsubsidized and indirect costs, is needed in the future.

Levamisole has been used for nephrotic syndrome due to its immunostimulating, immunomodulating, and steroid-sparing effects. Agranulocytosis, a serious side effect of levamisole, was rare and mostly associated with autoimmune disease, neoplastic disease and HLA B27 except one case in a nephrotic syndrome who was treated with high-dose(5mg/kg QOD) levamisole. This 15 year-old girl with steroid dependent nephrotic syndrome, who was negative for HLA B27, was treated with the usual recommended dose of levamisole(2.5mg/kg QOD). She developed agranulocytosis after 5 weeks of therapy and completely recovered in 11 days after discontinuation of levamisole.
Adolescent ; Agranulocytosis* ; Autoimmune Diseases ; Child* ; Female ; Humans ; Levamisole ; Nephrotic Syndrome*

PURPOSE: To predict pulmonary arterial hypertension by comparing the extent of honeycombing lesion with the diameter of main pulmonary artery (MPA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 21 patients (20 men, one woman) who showed honeycombing lesion on HRCT, and also analysized a control group of 30 (29men, one woman) who had no cardiopulmonary symptom and no abnormality on chest CT. On Chest HRCT, we scanned at four levels [1)aortic arch, 2) bifurcation of bronchus, 3) mid-portion of left ventricle, 4) dome of right diaphragm], and two radiologists then evaluated the proportion of honeycombing lesion within the entire lung field. According to the extent of this, we divided the patients into five groups [<20% (I), 20-39% (II), 40-59% (III), 60-79% (IV), > or = 80% (V)], and then divided Group I into two subgroups [<10 % (I|1), 10-19% (I-2)]. Using contrast-enhanced routine CT, the main pulmonary artery (MPA) was measured at its the widest diameter perpendicular to the long axisat the level of its bifurcation. RESULT: In group I (n=11) MPA was 28.4+/-2.6mm ; in group II (n=6), it was31.7+/-2.0mm ; in group III (n=2), 33.5mm ; in group IV (n=1), 33mm ; and in group V (n = 1), 39mm. In subgroup I-1MPA was 26.1+/-1.9mm, and in subgroup I-2, it was 29.8+/-1.6mm. In the control group, MPA was 25.1+/- 2.0mm. CONCLUSION: The extent of honeycombing lesion is closely related to the change in diameter of the MPA. Honeycombing lesion extending over more than 10% of the lung field may lead to pulmonary arterial hypertension.
Bronchi ; Heart Ventricles ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; Lung ; Pulmonary Artery* ; Retrospective Studies ; Thorax ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the health problems which women feel important and what they want to know from their doctors in the family practice clinics. METHODS: The subjects were all female patients who visited the family practice clinics at the four hospitals in which some members of the Study Group for Women's Health in Korean Academy of Family Medicine worked from December 10 to 15, 2001. We surveyed by self-administered questionnaire on important health topic, health care services they woud like to receive, what they expected from their doctors, what topics they have difficulty in discussing with, the doctors preference of physician's gender. We analyzed the results by age groups; 19~44, 45~64, and 65 years old and over. RESULTS: A total of 437 women answered the questionnaires, whose mean age was 49.4 year. Health topics that women felt important were osteoporosis, stress, cervical cancer, arthritis, and stroke, which varied with the age groups and recent health perception. The provision of health care services which they desired were in the order of treatment, prevention and health promotion, and diagnosis, which varied with the age groups and recent health perception. What they expected from their doctors were in the order of giving accurate diagnosis, explaining the treatment plan, and answering their questions. They had difficulty undergoing physical exam undressed, gynecological exam, and discussing on their sexual problems. CONCLUSION: Women who visited the family practice clinics felt differently on important health problems according to the age groups. Overall, they wanted to receive health services on the treatment, prevention and health promotion of osteoporosis, stress, cervical cancer, and arthritis.
Aged ; Arthritis ; Attitude to Health ; Delivery of Health Care ; Diagnosis ; Family Practice ; Female ; Gynecological Examination ; Health Promotion ; Health Services ; Humans ; Osteoporosis ; Patient Education as Topic ; Stroke ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; Women's Health ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Solid pseudopapillary neoplasm of the pancreas (SPN) is relatively rare and it occurs almost exclusively in women. We recently experienced three cases of SPN diagnosed by endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA). These three cases were two male and one female patient whose age was 29, 37, and 44 years old. Radiological diagnosis was pancreatic endocrine tumor (PEN) showing solid with a heterogenous echogenicity. EUS-FNA cytology specimens consisted of single cells and aggregates of uniform cells, forming microadenoid structures, branching, papillary clusters with delicate fibrovascular cores. In conclusion, a single diagnosis of SPN based on clinical and radiological findings would be risky because there is a possibility of it being misdiagnosed as PEN or other malignancies. An EUS-FNA is therefore essential for establishing the diagnosis. In addition, the pathologists should recognize the characteristic cytologic findings with immunoprofiles of SPN to prevent misdiagnosis of SPN.
Biopsy, Fine-Needle ; Diagnostic Errors ; Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Fine Needle Aspiration ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Pancreas

BACKGROUND: Fatigue is one of the common chief complaints in primary care setting. It causes disability in daily activity and lowers quality of life. This study was intended to investigate the information about fatigue useful in outpatient clinic. METHODS: The data was obtained from the Korean Health and Nutrition Survey 2001. Logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the association between self- reported fatigue and several factors including sociodemographic factors, life style factors, stress, depression, and worry about health. RESULTS: The prevalence of fatigue was low in unmarried status, more significantly in men when compared with those in married status. No significant association was found between fatigue and occupation, education level, monthly income, smoking, and alcohol consumption. The risk of fatigue in the exercising group more than 4 times per week was significantly low in women. The risk of fatigue in the group of sleeping duration less than 5 hours was significantly higher than the group of sleeping more than 9 hours. Compared with unemployed state, the daily working duration of more than 9 hours increased the risk for fatigue significantly. Stress perception, sadness or depression during the past 1 year and worry about health were strongly associated with fatigue. CONCLUSION: When evaluating and managing patients with fatigue, we should search for information about the patients' lifestyle such as exercise, daily work hours, sleeping as well as stress perception and depressive mood. Especially among the lifestyle, inquiring about regular exercise and promoting it may be important in order to manage patients with fatigue.
Alcohol Drinking ; Ambulatory Care Facilities ; Depression ; Education ; Fatigue* ; Female ; Humans ; Life Style ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Nutrition Surveys* ; Occupations ; Prevalence ; Primary Health Care ; Quality of Life ; Single Person ; Smoke ; Smoking