OBJECTIVE: To evaluate qualification and determine the usefulness of human papillomavirus(HPV) DNA testing in women with cytologic smears read as atypical squamous cell of undetermined significance (ASCUS). METHOD: The study was based on 88 women with cytologic smears reported of ASCUS favoring either a reactive process or squamous intraepithelial lesion (SIL) from July 1999 to June 2000. Cytologic examination by Papanicolaou smear was based on the Bethesda System and cervical biopsy was done via coloscopy. the presence of high risk HPV DNA was determined with Hybrid capture assay. RESULTS: The overall incidence of cervical intraepithelial lesion (CIN) was higher in the group with ASCUS favoring SIL than in the group with ASCUS favoring reactive process(42.2 % vs 18.6 %; p<0.05). Women with ASCUS favoring SIL were 9.1 times more likely to have high grade SIL(CIN II/III) develop than were women group with ASCUS favoring reactive process(95% confidence interval, 1.08-76.0). High-risk HPV DNA was demonstrated in 39.8%(35 cases) and was associated a 8.8 times increased likelihood of histologic conformation of CIN(95% confidence interval, 3.09-24.7). The sensitivity of HPV assay for any CIN was 74% and specificity was 75%, whereas the corresponding values for the repeat Pap smear was 67% and 33%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Women with ASCUS favoring SIL was associated with a relatively high risk that the women was harboring SIL. The addiction of a high-risk HPV DNA assay to cytologic examination appears to provide for early detection of high grade CIN in women with ASCUS.
Biopsy ; Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia ; Diagnosis* ; DNA* ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Papanicolaou Test ; Sensitivity and Specificity

Carcinoma of the uterine cervix has been considered to be a sexually transmitted disease(STD) and at present time, particullary human papillomavirus (HPV) is considered as the most likely infectious causative agents of uterine cervical cancer. But less is known about the sexual transmission of HPV and the status of HPV infection of male partner. Therefore, screenng of couples for HPV is very important for understanding HPV infection as a sexually transmitted disease and prevention of cervical carcinoma. The polymerase chain reaction(PCR) was employed to detect HPV 16 and 18 in cytological samples from the uterine cervix of the patients with cervical carcinoma(4 CIS and 34 invasive cervical carcinoma) and from urethral metatus and glans sulcus of their male consorts. The results are as follows; 1. HPV 16 or 18 were detected in 31(81.6%) of 38 patients with cervical cancer(HPV 16; 78.9%(30/38), HPV 1S; 28.9%(11/38), HPV 16 and 18; 26.3%(10/38)), 2. HPV 16 was detected in 27(90,0%) of 30 males whose wives were positive for HPV 16. But HPV 18 was detected in only 3(27.3%) of 11 male consorts whose wives were positive for HPV 18. And HPV 1S was detected in all male consorts whose wives were positive for HPV 16. In addition, HPV 16 or 18 were positive in 3 of 7(42.9%) male consorts whose wives were negative for HPV 16 and 18. Conclusively, these results suggest that HPV might be transmitted by sexual contacts in heterosexual couples.
Cervix Uteri ; Family Characteristics* ; Female ; Heterosexuality* ; Human papillomavirus 16 ; Human papillomavirus 18 ; Humans* ; Male ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sexually Transmitted Diseases ; Spouses ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms

The purpose of this study is to estimate cesarean section rate in Korea and analyze the socioeconomic variables and health resources which affect regional variation in the rate. Samples were drawn from the record of vaginal and cesarean section deliveries based upon insurance claim bills which have been submitted to the National Federation of Medical Insurance for the first three months, January through March, 1991. The results are obtained as follows: It was found that, cesarean section rate was increasing rapidly up to 23.1% in 1991. Cesarean section per 10 thousand insured people was 4.8 and the number of cesarean section per 10 thousand insured eligible(15-49 years old) female was 7.6. The fee for normal delivery was 109,489 won and that for cesarean section was 390,024 won. The average days of hospitalization in normal delivery was 2.3 days, and those in cesarean section was 7.6 days. On the average cesarean section has a longer of stay as much as by 4.3 days and cost 3.6 times more than normal deliveries. Cesarean section rates vary among medical facilities: 19.8% at clinics 37.6% in small-scale hospitals, and 29.1% in general hospitals. The regional variation of cesarean section rates was also fairly prominent. The South Cheju Gun has the highest rate of cesarean section, 56.2%. Meanwhile no cesarean section cases has been reported in Sunchang Gun during the period of this study. The variation is noted among provinces. The rate for Cheju province has been 3.4 times higher than that for Chunnam. The number of cesarean section per 10 thousand insured people vary greatly among regions, too. This study has found that there exists significant regional variations among various geographic units in terms of average length of stay, average cost, number of obsretricians and number of beds. Multiple regression analysis was done to identify factors explaining the regional variance of various cesarean section rates: In the urban areas, no significant explaining variables were noted except the number of beds for the dependent variable of cesarean section cases per 10 thousand insured eligible females. The smaller the number of bed, the more cases of cesarean section was noted for an urban area. The is mostly because the rate of cesarean section is higher in medium-size hospitals than in large general hospitals. In the rural areas, the factor of education has been found significant for all three dependent variables. The higher the educational level, the rate of cesarean section is most likely to rise. An income variable measured by the amount of monthly insurance contribution has been identified a powerful predictor in explaining the variance of cesarean section rates. The same has been noted for the number of obstetricians. Similar findings are observed for the country as a whole. The income level has been found as the most powerful explaining factor in the regional variance of cesarean section rates. In general the rate is higher in the urban areas, and lower in the area with more small hospitals. As this is the initial attempt to identify the factors relevant to the regional difference in the rates of cesarean section, more elaborated study is urgently required.
Cesarean Section* ; Education ; Fees and Charges ; Female ; Health Resources ; Hospitalization ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Insurance ; Jeju-do ; Korea* ; Length of Stay ; Pregnancy

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to assess the efficacy of large loop excision of transformation (LLETZ) and to evaluate of clinicopathological factors with the probability of residual disease. METHODS: Retrospective study was performed in 56 patients treated with LLETZ from September, 1998 to October, 2001 in department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Boramae Hospital. The patients underwent either immediate reoperation or monitoring with a cytologic smear and colposcopy. we investigate the significance of clinicopathological factors to predict residual disease after LLETZ. We used the Hybrid capture II test (Digene, USA) for presence of human papillomavirus (HPV). Residual disease was defined as histologic diagnosis of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). RESULTS: Histologic assesment after LLETZ showed margin involvements in 28.6% (16/56) of cases but the residual lesion was only seen in 21.4% (12/56). There was no other serious complication. Positive margins was significantly associated with severity of lesion but not presence of HPV. Severity of lesion and margin involvements was significantly associated with residual disease (p<0.05). But age of patients and the presence of HPV was not significantly associated with residual disease. CONCLUSION: LLETZ is an effective, quick and reliable procedure on accurate diagnosis of cervical pathology and conservative treatment of CIN. Margin status and severity of lesions could be used to predict residual disease.
Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia* ; Colposcopy ; Diagnosis ; Equidae ; Gynecology ; Humans ; Obstetrics ; Pathology ; Reoperation ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the levels of bone mineral density (BMD) and to explain the factors influencing BMD among female college students in Korea. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 144 college women. Lifestyle factors were determined by self-report questionnaire. Body composition was measured by body composition analyzer and bone mineral density was measured by ultrasound bone densitometry. Data were analyzed using SPSS for windows, version 19.0. RESULTS: The mean BMD at calcaneus site was 0.56 g/cm2 (mean T-score=-0.22). The incidence of osteopenia was 21.5%. Factors predicting BMD were menarche age (r=-.22, p=.009) and height (r=-.18, p=.030) with 7% of explained variance. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that health care professionals need to provide young women with program that is intended to affect their intention toward osteoporosis preventive behavior change.
Body Composition ; Bone Density ; Bone Diseases, Metabolic ; Calcaneus ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Delivery of Health Care ; Densitometry ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Intention ; Life Style ; Menarche ; Osteoporosis ; Surveys and Questionnaires

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study were to categorize the subjectivity of the quality of life in elderly women and to thereby understand the differences regarding quality of life desires. METHODS: This study used a Q-methodology to measure the quality of life in elderly women. A Q sample was collected from in-depth and objective interviews and WHOQLO. Fourteen participants rated 28 selected Q-statements on a scale of 1-7. The collected data was analyzed using PC Quanl. RESULTS: The principal component analysis identified 4 factors regarding the quality of life of elderly women. These categories were labeled 'hopelessness-oriented', 'relationship/adaptation-oriented', 'physical suffering-oriented', and 'self satisfaction-orientated'. CONCLUSION: Some of the factors regarding the quality of life of elderly women were determined through this research. Further research is necessary to set up and apply different the quality of life between men and women based on this result. The results of this study indicate that different approaches toward quality of life promotion programs are recommended based on the four factors of quality of life among elderly women.
Aged* ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Principal Component Analysis ; Quality of Life*

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the change and difference and relationship of postpartum depression and physical image. METHOD: The subjects consisted of 86 postpartum women at one general hospital in Seoul. The data was collected from September to November 2001. The instrument used for this study were SRD (Self-Rating Depression Scale) and Norris' Body Image Scale to evaluate depression and body image. The collected data was analyzed with frequency, mean, t-test, paired t-test, ANOVA and Pearson's correlation coefficient. RESULT: The result of this study were as follows: 1.The mean score of D2 was significantly higher than D1(p=.003). There was no difference significantly B1 and B2(p=310). 2. There was significant correlation between the two, D1-D2(r=.381, p<.01), B1-B2(r=.364, p<.01), D1-B1(r=.579, p<.01), D2-B2(r= .567, p<.01). (D1: depression of postpartum 1-3days, D2: depression of postpartum 6-8weeks, B1: body image of postpartum 1-3days, B2: body image of postpartum 6-8weeks) CONCLUSION: There was very high postpartum depression in postpartum women, but body image was positive. Also, there was correlated to postpartum depression and body image. Thus it is necessary to implement nursing intervention focused on to decrease the postpartum depression and to enhance the body image of the postpartum women.
Body Image* ; Depression ; Depression, Postpartum* ; Female ; Hospitals, General ; Nursing ; Postpartum Period* ; Seoul

OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to investigate factors affecting the discordance between body image and body mass index amongst Korean adults aged 19–39 years. METHODS: Data (N = 59,361) from the 2014 Korean Community Health Survey was analyzed using descriptive analysis, chi-square test, and logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: To examine the factors affecting body image discordance as observed in 43.1% of participants, the group was subdivided into underestimation and overestimation. There were 36.0% of participants that were body image discordant underestimators and 7.1% were overestimators. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the underestimators tended to be men, graduated from high school, married, current/ex-smokers, ex-drinkers, had between 5 to 9 hours sleep (inclusive), had fair to good self-rated health, and demonstrated healthy weight control behavior, relative to the reference group. In comparison, overestimators tended to be in the 19–29 year group and had signs of depression. The OR of individuals who were men, married, and had healthy weight control behavior was significantly lower in the overestimators group. CONCLUSION: These findings show that tailored interventions to promote accurate body awareness should be based on the type of body image discordance. In addition, it is necessary to develop and implement a program of body image improvement that considers the factors affecting body weight discordance.
Adult* ; Body Image* ; Body Mass Index ; Body Weight ; Depression ; Health Surveys ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Overweight

Paragonimiasis is prevalent in Far East and a kind of endemic Korean disases. The primary site of humanparagonimiasis is the lung, but hte ectopic infection of lung fluke has been reported by many authors. Weexperienced one case of abdominal paragonimiasis in a 44 year old male with a complaint of left lowerquadrantpain. Physical examination, barium enema, and other data suggested the possibility of tumor originating from thewall of descending colon. (intramural tumor). Postoperative specimen taken from the solid tumorous lesion showedparasitic granuloma, characteristic of Paragonimus Westermani. Here, we report a case of very peculiar ectopicparagonimaisis involved descending colon wall simulating neoplastic tumor, and also review the literaturesbriefly.
Barium ; Colon ; Colon, Descending ; Enema ; Far East ; Granuloma ; Humans ; Lung ; Male ; Mesocolon ; Paragonimiasis ; Paragonimus westermani ; Physical Examination ; Trematoda

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the usefulness of serum CA 125, CA 19-9, and eosinophil as biological markers for the diagnosis and recurrence of endometriosis. METHODS: One hundred seventeen patients who underwent operations for endometriosis between January 2000 and December 2006 at our department were included. A total of 50 reproductive aged women who visited our health care center were the control group. Data on serum level of CA 125, CA 19-9, and eosinophil was collected. Patients symptoms, sonographic findings, stage, treatment, recurrence were also collected. Venous blood sampling was performed 1 month before operation and 1 to 6 months after operation. We analyzed the serum level of CA 125, CA 19-9, and eosinophil according to the endometriosis stage and symptoms. We also analyzed the differences between preoperative and postoperative serum marker levels. RESULTS: The serum level of CA 125 and CA 19-9 was available in 88 patients and 45 patients, respectively. The mean eosinophil count was significantly lower in endometriosis group than in control group. In comparison between preoperative values and postoperative values, the CA 125 and CA 19-9 level showed significant reduction (P<0.05), however the eosinophil level showed no difference. The positive rate of serum CA 125 and CA 19-9 were 68.9% and 60.0% as a single test, whereas the combined positive rate of CA 125 and CA 19-9 was 82.2%. CONCLUSION: For the diagnosis and follow-up of endometriosis, serum CA 125 and CA 19-9 combination test will be valuable. Serum eosinophil count seems to be unsuitable for the screening and follow up test of endometriosis.
Aged ; Biomarkers ; Delivery of Health Care ; Endometriosis ; Eosinophils ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Mass Screening ; Recurrence