Sarcoidosis is a multisystem granulomatous disease of unknown cause. The lung is the most commonly affected organ, but the skin is frequently involved. Specific sardoidal lesions are most often found on the head and neck area. The most common specific presentation is multiple papular lesions. The present case shows solitary cutaneous sarcoidosis resembling dermatofibroma, located on the thigh. Dermoscopy can help in the differential diagnosis of cutaneous sarcoidosis. Dermoscopic findings are orange globular-like structures and linear vessels, and areas of scar-like depigmentation. Histopathologic findings show non-caseating granulomas with sparse inflammatory cells. We report a case of cutaneous sarcoidosis resembling dermatofibroma, which was diagnosed using dermoscopy.
Citrus sinensis ; Dermoscopy ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Granuloma ; Head ; Histiocytoma, Benign Fibrous ; Lung ; Neck ; Sarcoidosis ; Skin ; Thigh

BACKGROUND: It is known that QT dispersion represents asynchronous repolarization of ventricle which is related to ventricular fibrillation. The incidence of ventricular arrhythmia is increased after acute myocardial infarction. So this study compared QT dispersion and other repolarization indexes for detection of asynchronous repolarization in acute myocardial infarction. We also investigated which portion of repolarization is the key portion of the asynchrony. METHODS: In 37 acute myocardial infarction patients and 38 angina patients dispersion of QT, JT, JTpeak and QTpeak were measured. We also measured maximum adjacent dispersion of same parameters in precordial leads. In 20 survived patients and 17 dead patients after acute myocardial infarction were also compared. We also investigated correlation of PVC's on Holter monitoring with these repolarization parameters. RESULTS: 1) All ventricular repolarization indexes(QT, QTc, JT, JTpeak, QT peak and TpeakTend dispersion) were significantly increased in acute myocardial infarction group than compared with those of angina group(p<0.05). 2) Maximal precordial dispersion(QT, QTc, JT, JTpeak and QTpeak) were also significantly increased in acute myocardial infarction group than angina group(p<0.05). 3) Dead patient group after myocardial infarction showed significantly increased QTc and TpeskTend dispersion compared with those of survived patient group(p<0.05). 4) Multivariate linear correlation showed that TpeakTend dispersion and JT dispersion was correlated with QT dispersion. CONCLUSIONS: There were asynchronous myocardial repolarization changes in acute myocardial infarction. Our study demonstrated that T wave change was major determinant of dispersion of myocardial repolarization.
Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; Electrocardiography, Ambulatory ; Humans ; Incidence ; Myocardial Infarction* ; Ventricular Fibrillation

Psoriasis is a disorder caused by genetic and immunological factors. Leptin, a peptide hormone secreted predominantly from adipose tissue, regulates energy intake and expenditure, as well as the T-helper response. There have been conflicting reports regarding serum levels of leptin and adiponectin in patients with psoriasis. In the present study, we measured serum levels of leptin and adiponectin in Korean patients with psoriasis. Twenty-four patients with psoriasis and fifteen control subjects were included in the study. Serum leptin and adiponectin levels were determined by an immunometric sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The mean serum leptin concentration in patients with psoriasis was higher than in controls, and the difference was statistically significant. In contrast, serum adiponectin levels in patients with psoriasis were significantly decreased compared with healthy controls. Leptin levels in vitamin D-deficient patients were statistically significantly higher than in vitamin D-sufficient patients. Serum adiponectin concentrations showed a negative correlation with body mass index (BMI) and psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) in patients with psoriasis. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that leptin and adiponectin may play a role in the immunopathogenesis of psoriasis and may be useful biomarkers indicating severity of psoriasis in Korean patients.
Adiponectin/*blood ; Adult ; Aged ; Biological Markers/blood ; Body Mass Index ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Humans ; Inflammation/immunology ; Leptin/*blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Psoriasis/*blood/*epidemiology ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Risk ; Severity of Illness Index ; Vitamin D/blood ; Vitamin D Deficiency/*blood ; Young Adult

BACKGROUND: Esophagogastroduodenoscopy is a very important method to detect gastroduodenal lesions. But the investigation might be delayed due to its own discomfort and anxiety. This study was performed to evaluate the effect of relaxation music on relief of anxiety and physical discomfort during unsedated esophagogastroduodenoscopy. METHODS: From March 3 to May 14 2009, 104 clients who have undergone unsedated esophagogastroduodenoscopy more than once in the past were enrolled in this study. The subjects were randomly assigned to receive either relaxation music (music, N = 52) or no music (control, N = 52) before esophagogastroduodenoscopy. The subjects recorded their anxiety and physical discomfort about latest and today endoscopy by visual analogue scale (VAS). At pre and post music listening, systolic, diastolic blood pressure and heart rate were measured. RESULTS: There was a significant difference of anxiety VAS between music and control group (music, decrease 1.1 +/- 2.1; control, increase 0.0 +/- 1.9; P = 0.008). Throat discomfort VAS was not significant (music, decrease 0.9 +/- 1.8; control, decrease 0.5 +/- 2.7; P = 0.33). Dyspnea VAS decreased in both groups (music, 0.6 +/- 2.2; control, 0.4 +/- 2.5; P = 0.68). Nausea & vomitting VAS also decreased in both group (music, 0.9 +/- 2.2; control, 1.1 +/- 2.1, P = 0.71). There were no significant vital sign changes premusic and postmusic, In both group vital signs increased. Mean differences of systolic pressure(1.0 +/- 11.4 vs. 1.6 +/- 11.1) and diastolic pressure (0.7 +/- 7.3 vs. 1.3 +/- 5.7) were lower in music group, and mean difference of heart rate (1.8 +/- 9.5 vs. 1.5 +/- 8.0) was lower in control group. But There were no significant vital sign changes premusic and postmusic (each P = 0.8, P = 0.62, P = 0.89). CONCLUSION: Listening relaxation music before unsedated esophagogastroduodenoscopy may reduced anxiety.
Anxiety ; Blood Pressure ; Dyspnea ; Endoscopy ; Endoscopy, Digestive System ; Heart Rate ; Music ; Nausea ; Pharynx ; Relaxation ; Vital Signs

BACKGROUND: Gastroscopy is the useful method to detect the upper gastrointestinal condition, but examinee have recognized it as the procedure causing the discomfort and anxiety. This study was conducted to identify the factors related to pre-procedural anxiety for gastroscopy . METHODS: From 9th March to 12th June 2009, Data were collected from 463 examinee undergone gastroscopy at a health promotion center of a university hospital by self-administered questionnaires about general characteristics (age, sex, education state, economic state, family history of gastric cancer), gastrointestinal symptom, histroy of gastrointestinal disease, sedated gastroscopy and previous experience of gastroscopy. Before gastroscopy procedure, pre-procedural anxiety was assessed using 20-items by Korean version of Spielberger State Triat Anxiety Inventory Form-Y (STAI-Y). RESULTS: The mean score of pre-procedural state anxiety was 38.1 +/- 10.2 in all participants. The mean score was the most highest in participants who had no previous experience of gastroscopy and would perform non-sedated gastroscopy as 42.1 +/- 10.3. Factors related to pre-procedural anxiety were female (odds ratio [OR], 3.00; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.94 to 4.64), low education state (OR, 1.68; 95% CI, 1.05 to 2.71) and the previous experience of gastroscopy (OR, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.24 to 0.88). Among participants who had the previous experienced gastroscopy, female (OR, 3.20; 95% CI, 1.97 to 5.22), low education state (OR, 1.79; 95% CI, 1.06 to 3.02) and the good tolerance at previous gastroscopy (OR, 0.35; 95% CI 0.21 to 0.59) were related to pre-procedural anxiety. CONCLUSION: In health check examinee, female, low education state and the no previous experience of gastroscopy were related to pre-procedural anxiety. Endoscopists should be provide efforts to lower pre-procedural anxiety in those subjects as to increase effectiveness of interventions.
Anxiety ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Diseases ; Gastroscopy ; Health Promotion ; Humans ; Surveys and Questionnaires

No abstract available.
Cyclosporine* ; Humans ; Psoriasis*

No abstract available.
Cyclosporine* ; Humans ; Psoriasis*

PURPOSE: Knowledge of nutritional support and attitudes of medical staff both affect patient care. We identified attitudes regarding nutritional support among medical staff as well as changes in attitudes when a nutritional support team is present. METHODS: Data were collected from 172 medical staff members who served at a university hospital located in Gyeongju by self-administered questionnaire from June 12~August 30, 2013. The questionnaire inquired about importance of nutritional support, self-confidence about nutritional support, consideration of nutritional support for patient care, consideration of nutritional support when a nutritional support team is present, and nutritional knowledge training during the past year. RESULTS: A total of 169 subjects (98.3%) thought that nutritional support is important for patient care. Only 19 subjects (11.0%) were highly self-confident about nutritional support. In total, 147 subjects (85.5%) considered nutritional support for some or all patients, whereas 169 (98.3%) considered nutritional support for patient care when a nutritional support team is present. Thirty-eight subjects (22.1%) received nutritional knowledge training during the past year. High self-confidence for nutritional support was related to nutritional knowledge training and service part. Positive changes regarding nutritional support when a nutritional support team is present were associated with nutritional knowledge training and high self-confidence for nutritional support. CONCLUSION: No differences in nutritional support attitudes for patient care were observed among the medical staff. Nutritional knowledge training and service part affected self-confidence of nutritional support and induced positive changes in attitudes for nutritional support.
Gyeongsangbuk-do ; Humans ; Inpatients ; Medical Staff* ; Nutritional Status ; Nutritional Support* ; Patient Care* ; Surveys and Questionnaires

BACKGROUND: Insulin resistance has been identified as one of the risk factor of atherosclerosis. Hypertension, obesity, glucose intolerance and dyslipidemia could induce atherosclerosis through mechanism of insulin resistance. And there are some reports that hyperinsulinemia itself could induce coronary artery disease(CAD). Then we planed to investigate relationship between CAD and insulin resistance. And smoking is also known as one major risk factor of CAD. So we also investigated the relationship between smoking and insulin resistance in the CAD patients. METHODS: Among 36 subjects in whom coronary angiography was done, we grouped 25 subjects who had stenotic coronary artery as a CAD group and 11 subjects without stenosis as control group. We compared insulin and glucose response to oral glucose load(75g), serum lipid concentrations, blood pressure, and degree of obesity between two groups. We also divided CAD group into smoking and nonsmoking subgroups, compared the above parameters. RESULTS: 1) There were no significant difference in body mass index, blood pressure, creatinine, cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, between the CAD group and the control group. There were significantly higher incidence of smokers in CAD group. 2) Insulin concentration at 120 minutes after glucose load were significantly higher in the CAD group than the control group. 3) In the CAD group, fasting plasma insulin concentration insulin area, peak plasma insulin concentration and insulin concentration at 60,90,120 minutes after glucose load were significantly higher in non-smoking group. CONCLUSION: Enhanced insulin reponse such as higher insulin concentration 60 minutes after glucose load in the CAD group suggests that insulin resistance is a risk factor of CAD. And insulin response was more pronounced in the non-smoker subgroup than smoker subgroup in the CAD patients. Thus role of insulin resistance in provoking coronary artery disease is more important in the non-smoker.
Atherosclerosis ; Blood Pressure ; Body Mass Index ; Cholesterol ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Artery Disease* ; Coronary Vessels* ; Creatinine ; Dyslipidemias ; Fasting ; Glucose ; Glucose Intolerance ; Humans ; Hyperinsulinism ; Hypertension ; Incidence ; Insulin Resistance* ; Insulin* ; Obesity ; Plasma ; Risk Factors ; Smoke ; Smoking

True neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) is an uncommon disease and is difficult to diagnose at the early stage and then completely cure. We experienced a case of true neurogenic TOS with typical clinical symptoms and electrophysiologic findings as a result of repetitive habitual sleep posture. A 31-year-old woman who had complained of progressive tingling sensation on the 4th and 5th fingers with shoulder pain was diagnosed of brachial plexopathy at the lower trunk level by electrodiagnostic studies. There was no other cause of brachial plexopathy except her habit of hyperabduction of shoulder during sleep. This case demonstrated that the habitual abnormal posture can be the only major cause of neurogenic TOS. It is of importance to consider TOS with the habitual cause because simple correction of the posture could stabilize or even reverse disease progress.
Adult ; Brachial Plexus Neuropathies ; Female ; Fingers ; Humans ; Posture ; Sensation ; Shoulder ; Shoulder Pain ; Thoracic Outlet Syndrome