PURPOSE: To evaluate the results of treatments by percutaneous Acutrak screw fixation for intra-articular joint depression type fracture of calcaneus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirteen cases with intra-articular joint depression type fracture of calcaneus, from September 2004 to March 2006, were reviewed. There were 9 males and 4 females with 52.5 years old mean age (range: 31~74 years old). The average follow-up period was 18 months (range: 8~32 months). Steinmann pins and Freers were used for closed reduction. After closed reduction, Acutrak screws and K-wires were inserted. The patients were evaluated with Creighton-Nebraska health foundation assessment sheet for calcaneal fracture, the extent of recovery of Bohler angle, fragment size, and state of subtalar joint. RESULTS: Clinical results according to Creighton-Nebraska health foundation assessment sheet for calcaneal fracture were excellent in 6 cases (46%), good in 4 cases (30%), fair in 2 cases (15%), and poor in 1 case (7%). Average preoperative Bohler angle was 7.6degrees (range: 2degrees~13degrees). Average postoperative Bohler angle was 24.4degrees (range: 4degrees~33degrees). There were no soft tissue complications. There were one mild subtalar arthritis and one moderate subtalar arthritis. CONCLUSION: We think that closed reduction and percutaneous Acutrak screw fixation with or without K-wire is a good option for joint depression type fracture of calcaneus.
Arthritis ; Calcaneus ; Depression ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Joints ; Male

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the potential role of erythropoietin (EPO) in anemia of chronic infection or inflammation. METHOD: Anemia of chronic infection or inflammation, 33 cases from Yonsei Medical Center from September, 1993 to August, 1995 were compared with uncomplicated iron deficiency anemia (IDA) 32 cases with analyzing serum EPO levels. RESULTS: 1) Mean hemoglobin was higher in anemia of chronic infection or inflammation (10.6+/-0.9g/dL) than IDA (9.8+/-0.7g/dL) (P<0.05). 2) MCV value was higher in anemia of chronic infection or inflammation (88.6+/-7.6fL) than IDA (73.8+/-7.1fL) (P<0.05). 3) In anemia of chronic infection or inflammation, serum iron was 54.3+/-18.3microgram/dL, TIBC 282. 6+/-64.9 microgram/dL, iron saturation 15.9+/-4.6% and serum ferritin 403.4+/-179.5ng/mL. TIBC and serum ferritin were significantly different (P=0.0001 each) comparing with IDA (serum iron 44.8+/-28.7microgram/dL, TIBC 421.1+/-70.3microgram/dL, iron saturation 11.9+/-6.5%, serum ferritin 7.9+/-7.2ng/mL). 4) ESR was increased in anemia of chronic infection or inflammation (54.1+/-17.3mm/hr) than IDA (17.1+/-6.5mm/hr) with significance (P<0.05). 5) Serum EPO level was 18.9+/-9.0mU/mL in anemia of chronic infection or inflammation but 47.2+/-33.1mU/mL in IDA with significant difference (P<0.05). 6) The increments of serum EPO according to hemoglobin levels in anemia of chronic infection or inflammation was less than that of IDA and there was no correlation (r=-0.25). CONCLUSION: In anemia of chronic infection or inflammation, the responses of serum EPO are inappropriately low and recombinant human EPO administration may be helpful to improve this type of anemia.
Anemia* ; Anemia, Iron-Deficiency ; Erythropoietin* ; Ferritins ; Humans ; Inflammation* ; Iron

OBJECTIVES: There is a great deal of interest in the possibility that environmental factors may influence the risk of developing allergic rhinitis (AR) in early life. We investigated the simultaneous effects of mode of delivery and duration of breastfeeding on the development of AR in children. METHODS: Data from 1,374 children participating in the Allergic Rhinitis Cohort Study for kids (ARCO-kids study) was analyzed. All subjects were divided into AR or non-allergic rhinitis (NAR) groups. Data on environmental factors, mode of delivery and duration of breastfeeding were collected using a questionnaire. RESULTS: Compared with short-term breastfeeding (<6 months), long-term breastfeeding (≥12 months) was significantly associated with a lower prevalence of AR (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.54; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.34 to 0.88). Children in the AR group also had a higher cesarean delivery rate than those in the NAR group (39.1% vs. 32.8%, P=0.05). Regarding the combined effects of mode of delivery and duration of breastfeeding, long-term breastfeeding with a vaginal delivery strongly suppressed the development of AR, compared to short-term breastfeeding with a cesarean delivery (aOR, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.30 to 0.73). CONCLUSION: Long-term breastfeeding (≥12 months) and a vaginal delivery are associated with a lower risk of developing childhood AR.
Breast Feeding ; Cesarean Section ; Child ; Cohort Studies ; Delivery, Obstetric ; Female ; Humans ; Odds Ratio ; Pregnancy ; Prevalence ; Rhinitis ; Rhinitis, Allergic

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aims of this study were to determine subgoups of functional dyspesia and to evaluate the short-term effect of cisapride in patients with functional dyspepsia in Korea. METHODS: 1025 patients, with a mean age of 42.6 years, with symptoms of functional dyspepsia, were recruited consecutively and upper gastrointestinal symptoms were investigated by interview in 41 hospitals in Korea. In an open, multicenter trial, 1025 patients received Smg of cisapride three times a day (TID) for at least .2 weeks for the treatment of symptoms of functional dyspepsia. When necessary, the dose of cisapride was increased to 10mg TID and the duration of therapy was extended to 4 weeks. RESULTS: The most frequently reported symptoms of functional dyspepsia were epigastric discomfort or fullness (85%), bloating (70%), belching (53%), early satiety (52%) and epigastric pain (46%) retrospectively. Subgroups of functional dyspepsia were as follows; dysmotility-like 73.5%, ulcer-like 39.7%, reflux-like 13.0%, and unspecified dyspepsia 14.0%. However, 33.2% of subjects with functional dyspepsia could be classified into more than one subgroup. Upper gastrointestinal symptoms were decreased to average 50.3% (range; 42.2 to 59.2%) after 2 weeks of cisapride treatment and to 25% (19.2 to 29.9%) after 4 weeks. cisapride therapy resulted in good or excellent improvement in 59.0% of the patients after two weeks, in 75% of patients after 4 weeks. Adverse events were occurred in 52 patients (5.8% of all patients), most commonly, loose stools or diarrhea (3.5%), abdominal pain (1.1%), and dizziness (0.3%). The majority of adverse events was mild and transient in nature and led to premature discontinuation of treatment in 4 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Although the majorities of patients with functional dyspepsia have dysmotility like symptoms in Korea, there is such overlap among the dyspepsia subgroups. Most patients responded well to a short therapeutic trial with cisapride without significant side effects.
Abdominal Pain ; Cisapride* ; Diarrhea ; Dizziness ; Dyspepsia* ; Eructation ; Humans ; Korea* ; Retrospective Studies