OBJECTIVE: To investigate the risk factors for fall in the elderly population residing in rural areas of Korea and provide useful data for their prevention. METHODS: As part of farmers’ health promotion project, a retrospective study was conducted with a total of 350 elderly people recruited from March 2016 to December 2016. These subjects were divided into two groups: 254 non-fallers and 96 fallers. A person who fell to the floor at least once in the past year was defined as a faller. Participants were asked to visit the hospital once. The demographic characteristics, social environment, and educational levels were surveyed using a questionnaire. Physical examination was performed in the following order: cognitive function, lower leg strength and torque, body composition, and knee image test. RESULTS: Statistically significant factors for falls in univariate analysis were female gender, age, living alone, educational level less than middle school, skeletal muscle mass, Mini-Mental State Exam, knee osteoarthritis, hip torque, hip power mean, knee torque, and knee power mean. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify variables most relevant to falls among statistically significant factors in univariate logistic analysis. It was confirmed that female gender and age of 70–79 years were statistically significant factors related to falls. CONCLUSION: Female gender and elderly status (70–79 years) are important risk factors for falls in rural areas underscoring the need for special attention when considering risk factors for falls among the elderly living in rural areas.
Accidental Falls ; Aged ; Body Composition ; Cognition ; Female ; Health Promotion ; Hip ; Humans ; Knee ; Korea ; Leg ; Multivariate Analysis ; Muscle, Skeletal ; Osteoarthritis, Knee ; Physical Examination ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Assessment ; Risk Factors ; Sociological Factors ; Torque

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate femoral anteversion angle (FAA) change in children with intoeing gait depending on age, gender, and initial FAA using three-dimensional computed tomography (3D-CT). METHODS: The 3D-CT data acquired between 2006 and 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. Children 4 to 10 years of age with symptomatic intoeing gait with follow-up interval of at least 1 year without active treatment were enrolled. Subjects were divided into three groups based on age: group 1 (≥4 and <6 years), group 2 (≥6 and <8 years), and group 3 (≥8 and <10 years). Initial and follow-up FAAs were measured using 3D-CT. Mean changes in FAAs were calculated and compared. RESULTS: A total of 200 lower limbs of 100 children (48 males and 52 females, mean age of 6.1±1.6 years) were included. The mean follow-up period was 18.0±5.4 months. Average initial and follow-up FAA in children with intoeing gait was 31.1°±7.8° and 28.9°±8.2°, respectively. The initial FAA of group 1 was largest (33.5°±7.7°). Follow-up FAA of group 1 was significantly reduced to 28.7°±9.2° (p=0.000). FAA changes in groups 1, 2, and 3 were −6.5°±5.8°, −6.4°±5.1°, and −5.3°±4.0°, respectively. These changes of FAA were not significantly (p=0.355) different among the three age groups. However, FAA changes were higher (p=0.012) in females than those in males. In addition, FAA changes showed difference depending on initial FAA. When initial FAA was smaller than 30°, mean FAA change was −5.6°±4.9°. When initial FAA was more than 30°, mean FAA change was −6.8°±5.4° (p=0.019). CONCLUSION: FAA initial in children with intoeing gait was the greatest in age group 1 (4–6 years). This group also showed significant FAA decrease at follow-up. FAA changes were greater when the child was a female, younger, and had greater initial FAA.
Bone Anteversion ; Child ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gait ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Lower Extremity ; Male ; Retrospective Studies

Leptomeningeal metastasis (LM) is a rare but fatal clinical condition with a short survival time. The incidence of LM from epidermal growth factor receptor mutant (EGFRm) non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has increased due to the limited efficacy of first- or second-generation epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in the central nervous system (CNS). Osimertinib is a third-generation, irreversible, CNS penetrant, oral EGFR TKI that demonstrates promising efficacy in CNS metastases regardless of T790M. Herein, we report four cases of T790M-negative EGFRm NSCLC patients treated with osimertinib combined with systemic chemotherapy, who progressed on prior EGFR TKI and developed LM with extracranial lesions. The combination treatment was well tolerated, and the mean overall survival from LM diagnosis was 14.7 months (95% confidence interval, 10.4 to 19.0). These results suggest that osimertinib combined with systemic chemotherapy would be a reasonable treatment option for T790M-negative EGFRm NSCLC patients who develop LM with extracranial progression to prior EGFR TKI. A further prospective study is warranted.

BACKGROUND: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterized by chronic inflammation and joint damage. Methotrexate (MTX), a commonly used disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) used in RA treatment. However, the continued use of DMARDs can cause adverse effects and result in limited therapeutic efficacy. Cartilage extracellular matrix (CECM) has anti-inflammatory and anti-vascular effects and promotes stem cell migration, adhesion, and differentiation into cartilage cells. METHODS: CECM was assessed the dsDNA, glycosaminoglycan, collagen contents and FT-IR spectrum of CECM.Furthermore, we determined the effects of CECM and MTX on cytocompatibility in the SW 982 cells and RAW 264.7 cells. The anti-inflammatory effects of CECM and MTX were assessed using macrophage cells. Finally, we examined the in vivo effects of CECM in combination with MTX on anti-inflammation control and cartilage degradation in collageninduced arthritis model. Anti-inflammation control and cartilage degradation were assessed by measuring the serum levels of RA-related cytokines and histology. RESULTS: CECM in combination with MTX had no effect on SW 982, effectively suppressing only RAW 264.7 activity.Moreover, anti-inflammatory effects were enhanced when low-dose MTX was combined with CECM. In a collageninduced arthritis model, low-dose MTX combined with CECM remarkably reduced RA-related and pro-inflammatory cytokine levels in the blood. Additionally, low-dose MTX combined with CECM exerted the best cartilage-preservation effects compared to those observed in the other therapy groups. CONCLUSION Using CECM as an adjuvant in RA treatment can augment the therapeutic effects of MTX, reduce existing drug adverse effects, and promote joint tissue regeneration.