BACKGROUND/AIMS: The Compliance Questionnaire-Rheumatology (CQR) is a validated scale to evaluate patient compliance for anti-rheumatic medications. We developed a Korean version of the CQR (KCQR) and confirmed its reliability and validity. METHODS: We prepared the KCQR by translating and back-translating the original CQR with modifications to adapt it to Korean culture. Fifty Korean patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were enrolled in this study. The test-retest reliability of the KCQR was evaluated at a 2-week interval using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). The validity of the KCQR was assessed by identifying associations between KCQR scores and patient compliance, measured using pharmacy refill data. RESULTS: The reliability of the KCQR was adequate, with an ICC of 0.71 for test-retest reliability. With respect to validity, the summed score of the weighted KCQR showed a significant correlation with pharmacy refill data (r2 = 0.57) on multiple regression analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that the KCQR is a reliable, valid instrument to evaluate compliance of Korean patients for RA medications.
Adaptation, Psychological ; Adult ; Aged ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/*drug therapy ; Cross-Cultural Comparison ; Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; *Medication Adherence ; Middle Aged ; *Questionnaires ; Reproducibility of Results ; Validation Studies as Topic

Amyloidosis is classified according to the distribution pattern of amyloid deposition sites and associated diseases. Hepatic amyloidosis is not infrequent, although rarely causes clinical liver disease. We report two cases of amyloidosis diagnosed by liver biopsy. One presented with symptoms related almost to the liver disease, such as jaundice, hepatomegaly and indigestion. Echocardiogram revealed hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, suggesting cardiac involvement of the amyloidosis. The patient died of hepatic failure. The other case was found in a patient with an end stage renal disease. Features of congestive heart failure in this case may reflect cardiac involvement. The pattern of hepatic amyloid deposition in both of these cases was diffuse perisinusoidal. The predominant intralobular deposition suggests that these are amyloidosis of the secondary type.
Amyloidosis/*diagnosis/pathology ; Humans ; Liver Diseases/*diagnosis/pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged

An ultrasonic bone densitometer has been developed by measuring speed of sound signal transmitted and received on the skin, not through the horizontal axis but through the vertical one in tissue. The SOS(speed of sound) method measuring the time difference between the ultrasound signals reflected from the both sides of surface of bone could produce more precise result compared with the BUA(broadband ultrasound attenuation) method measuring the frequency difference. Middle finger is selected to be the best measurement position in order to increase the accuracy, after due consideration that the thickness of flesh at the down part of thumb shows too much variation although the ratio of the receiving signal is higher than the other fingers. The measured value by using SOS method shows almost the same result as compared with the conventional DEXA method.
Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; Fingers ; Skin ; Thumb ; Ultrasonics* ; Ultrasonography

BACKGROUND: Interest in pharmacist participation in the multidisciplinary intensive care team is increasing. However, studies examining pharmacist interventions in the medical intensive care unit (MICU) are limited in Korea. The aim of this study was to describe the current status of pharmacist interventions and to identify common pharmacologic problems requiring pharmacist intervention in the MICU. METHODS: Between September 2013 and August 2014, a retrospective, observational study was conducted in the 22-bed MICU at a university hospital. Data were obtained from two trained pharmacists who participated in MICU rounds three times a week. In addition to patient characteristics, data on the cause, type, related drug, and acceptance rate of interventions were collected. RESULTS: In 340 patients, a total of 1211 pharmacologic interventions were performed. The majority of pharmacologic interventions were suggested by pharmacists at multidisciplinary rounds in the MICU. The most common pharmacologic interventions were adjustment of dosage and administration (n = 328, 26.0%), followed by parenteral/enteral nutritional support (n = 228, 18.1%), the provision of drug information (n = 228, 18.1%), and advice regarding pharmacokinetics (n = 118, 9.3%). Antimicrobial agents (n = 516, 42.6%) were the most frequent type of drug associated with pharmacist interventions. The acceptance rate of interventions was 84.1% with most accepted by physicians within 24 hours (n = 602, 92.8%). CONCLUSIONS: Medication and nutritional problems are frequently encountered pharmacotherapeutic problems in the MICU. Pharmacist interventions play an important role in the management of these problems.
Anti-Infective Agents ; Humans ; Critical Care ; Intensive Care Units* ; Korea ; Nutritional Support ; Observational Study ; Pharmacists* ; Pharmacokinetics ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSE: To compare the findings of MR cholangiography with those of ultrasound and biochemistry in patients with suspected choledocholithiasis, and to evaluate the clinical utility and role of MR cholangiography prior to laparoscopic cholecystectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the radiologic findings and clinical records of 103 consecutive patients in whom choledocholithiasis was suspected and who underwent both ultrasound and MR cholangiography. For MR imaging, a 1.5T unit was used, and axial T1-FLASH, True FISP, and oblique coronal HASTE and RARE images were obtained. Initial biochemical values (AST, ALT, total bilirubin) were correlated with the findings of MR cholangiography. RESULTS: Choledocholithiasis was present in 36 of 103 patients: overall, there were 34 true-positive, 63 truenegative, four false-positive, and two false-negative results. In the detection of choledocholithiasis, MR cholangiography showed the following characteristics: sensitivity, 94%; specificity, 94%; positive predictive value, 89%; negative predictive value, 96%; accuracy, 95%. Calculi in the common bile duct were detected in 3 of 33 patients (9%) in whom ultrasound showed that the caliber of the common bile duct was normal and whose laboratory findings were normal, and in 12 of 43 (28%) of those whose common bile duct was dilatated or whose laboratory values were abnormal. Calculi were present in the common bile duct of 21 of 27 patients (78%) with abnormal laboratory values and abnormal ultrasound findings. CONCLUSION: Choledocholithiasis was detected in 25% of patients without clinical suspicion and was not present in 25% of patients with strong clinical suspicion. In patients with this condition, MR cholangiography is noninvasive and accurate, and we suggest that in patients with suspected choledocholithiasis, it should be a routine diagnostic procedure prior to laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
Biochemistry ; Calculi ; Cholangiography* ; Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic* ; Choledocholithiasis* ; Common Bile Duct ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Retrospective Studies ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Ultrasonography

Parvovirus B19(PV B19) is a nonenveloped single-stranded DNA virus that causes a wide variety of diseases ranging from benign childhood infection such as slapped-cheek rash(fifth disease) to life threatening diseases such as hydrops fetalis in fetuses or aplastic anemic crises in patients with hemolytic anemia. In immunocompromised hosts including organ transplant recipients, this infection can cause chronic anemia. Recently, the reports of cases of PV B19 infection have been increasing in transplant recipients and most reported cases of PV B19 infection-associated anemia in renal transplant recipients were successfully treated with intravenous immunoglobulin infusion. We experienced two cases of aplastic anemia caused by PV B19 infection in pediatric renal transplant recipients. The patients were an 8- year-old boy and 12-year-old boy who received allograft kidneys from their mothers. Anemia developed 2 weeks after transplantation and their serum was positive for PV B19 PCR. They were treated with 400 mg/kg of intravenous immunoglobulin(IVIG) for 5 consecutive days. In one of the case, anemia was corrected promptly after the first 5-day course of IVIG therapy but in the other, anemia persisted but responded to the second course of IVIG therapy. One year later, the patients have normal hematocrit levels and stable renal function. These are the first cases of PV B19 infection treated successfully with IVIG in pediatric renal transplant recipients in Korea.
Allografts ; Anemia ; Anemia, Aplastic ; Anemia, Hemolytic ; Child ; DNA, Single-Stranded ; Fetus ; Hematocrit ; Humans ; Hydrops Fetalis ; Immunocompromised Host ; Immunoglobulins ; Immunoglobulins, Intravenous ; Kidney Transplantation ; Kidney* ; Korea ; Male ; Mothers ; Parvovirus* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Transplantation ; Transplants

PURPOSE: We investigated the effect of 100-year-old mountain ginseng(Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer, PG-CAM) extract on patients with erectile dysfunction(ED). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 35 patients with ED(23 patients in PG-CAM administration group, 12 in placebo group) were enrolled in this double-blind study. The drug was administered for 12 weeks. Before and after administration, patients took the self-administered IIEF-5 questionnaire and were tested for serum hormone levels(testosterone, LH, FSH, estradiol), complete blood count, liver and renal function test, and urinalysis. RESULTS: The IIEF-5 scores for the placebo group were 19.7+/-2.3 and 19.9+/-3.6 before and after treatment, respectively. For all patients taking PG-CAM, IIEF-5 scores increased 18.1+/-5.6 to 20.2+/-4.5. For those patients with initial scores below 17, IIEF-5 scores increased from 12.4+/-6.2 to 19.7+/-6.7. These results indicate that PG-CAM may increase erectile function in ED patients, particularly those with poor erection. No changes were detected in hormonal levels or blood tests. No toxic side effect were reported. CONCLUSIONS: IIEF-5 score improved significantly in ED patients treated with PG-CAM, suggesting that PG-CAM extract could be a treatment candidates for ED.
Blood Cell Count ; Double-Blind Method ; Erectile Dysfunction* ; Hematologic Tests ; Humans ; Liver ; Male ; Panax* ; Penis ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Urinalysis

PURPOSE: We investigated the effect of 100-year-old mountain ginseng(Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer, PG-CAM) extract on patients with erectile dysfunction(ED). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 35 patients with ED(23 patients in PG-CAM administration group, 12 in placebo group) were enrolled in this double-blind study. The drug was administered for 12 weeks. Before and after administration, patients took the self-administered IIEF-5 questionnaire and were tested for serum hormone levels(testosterone, LH, FSH, estradiol), complete blood count, liver and renal function test, and urinalysis. RESULTS: The IIEF-5 scores for the placebo group were 19.7+/-2.3 and 19.9+/-3.6 before and after treatment, respectively. For all patients taking PG-CAM, IIEF-5 scores increased 18.1+/-5.6 to 20.2+/-4.5. For those patients with initial scores below 17, IIEF-5 scores increased from 12.4+/-6.2 to 19.7+/-6.7. These results indicate that PG-CAM may increase erectile function in ED patients, particularly those with poor erection. No changes were detected in hormonal levels or blood tests. No toxic side effect were reported. CONCLUSIONS: IIEF-5 score improved significantly in ED patients treated with PG-CAM, suggesting that PG-CAM extract could be a treatment candidates for ED.
Blood Cell Count ; Double-Blind Method ; Erectile Dysfunction* ; Hematologic Tests ; Humans ; Liver ; Male ; Panax* ; Penis ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Urinalysis

Phentermine has been widely used as an appetite suppressant since 2004 in Korea. The authors experienced two cases of acute phentermine overdose and report with the literature review. A 36-year-old man and a 24-year-old woman presented together to the emergency department with taking 13 tablets (390 mg) of phentermine 16 hours ago. They had tachycardia, hypertension and complained visual symptoms, nausea, insomnia and anxiety. These symptoms were resolved by conservative management.
Adult ; Anxiety ; Appetite ; Drug Overdose ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Korea ; Nausea ; Phentermine* ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders ; Tablets ; Tachycardia ; Young Adult

Phentermine has been widely used as an appetite suppressant since 2004 in Korea. The authors experienced two cases of acute phentermine overdose and report with the literature review. A 36-year-old man and a 24-year-old woman presented together to the emergency department with taking 13 tablets (390 mg) of phentermine 16 hours ago. They had tachycardia, hypertension and complained visual symptoms, nausea, insomnia and anxiety. These symptoms were resolved by conservative management.
Adult ; Anxiety ; Appetite ; Drug Overdose ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Korea ; Nausea ; Phentermine* ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders ; Tablets ; Tachycardia ; Young Adult