BACKGROUND: Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are toxic materials that cannot be broken down naturally and that easily accumulate in the body. Although several studies have attempted to reveal the effects of POPs on the endocrine and nervous system and on cancer, few studies focus on the relationship between low-dose POPs and public health. We attempted to find a relationship between the level of POPs and common gastrointestinal symptoms, including abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, and constipation. METHODS: We recruited 121 subjects who visited Kyungpook National University Hospital for a health screening. Plasma concentrations were evaluated for 40 kinds of POPs including 17 types of polychlorinated biphenyls and 23 types of organochlorine pesticides. Furthermore, the Korean version of the Rome III criteria was used to identify gastrointestinal symptoms. RESULTS: Our results showed that abdominal discomfort had an inverse relationship with several polychlorinated biphenyls. Moreover, an inverted U-shaped relationship was observed between abdominal discomfort and several other organochlorine pesticides including p,p'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane and p,p'-dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, and the effects of these pesticides on abdominal discomfort were similar to that of organochlorine pesticides on obesity and metabolic syndrome. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that mild and unspecified gastrointestinal symptoms with no clear cause could be related to POPs levels.
Constipation ; Diarrhea ; Gyeongsangbuk-do ; Mass Screening ; Nervous System ; Obesity ; Pesticides ; Plasma ; Polychlorinated Biphenyls ; Public Health

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalences of electroencephalographic (EEG) abnormalities and epilepsy in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In addition, we intended to identify demographic and clinical correlates of epilepsy in ASD. METHODS: A total of 140 children and adolescents (age 7.3+/-4.8 yrs, 106 boys) with ASD underwent EEG from January 2010 to December 2013 at Asan Medical Center. Medical records were reviewed for demographic information, clinical characteristics, psychiatric diagnoses and comorbidities, EEG findings and neurological diagnoses. RESULTS: The prevalences of EEG abnormalities and epilepsy in children and adolescents with ASD was 62.1% and 38.6%, respectively. In subjects with seizure-like movements, EEG abnormalities and epilepsy were more frequent than those without seizure-like movements (EEG abnormalities : 92.5% vs. 43.7%, p<.001 ; epilepsy : 90.6% vs. 5.7%, p<.001). ASD subjects who had epilepsy were older (p=.001), had lower full scale intelligence quotient (p<.001) and took more antipsychotics (p=.006) than those who did not. CONCLUSION: The prevalences of EEG abnormalities and epilepsy in our sample were similar to those from Western countries. Our results suggested a possible association of older age, lower intelligence quotient, and antipsychotics use with epilepsy in ASD. Conduct of further prospective study in a larger sample is needed.
Adolescent* ; Antipsychotic Agents ; Autism Spectrum Disorder* ; Child* ; Chungcheongnam-do ; Comorbidity ; Diagnosis ; Electroencephalography ; Epilepsy ; Humans ; Intelligence ; Medical Records ; Prevalence

BACKGROUND: Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are toxic materials that cannot be broken down naturally and that easily accumulate in the body. Although several studies have attempted to uncover the effects of POPs on the endocrine and nervous systems and on cancer, few focus on the relationship between low-dose POPs and public health. Here, we attempt to determine the relationship between the level of POPs and common gastrointestinal symptoms, including abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, and constipation. METHODS: We recruited 121 subjects who visited Kyungpook National University Medical Center for health screening. Plasma concentrations were evaluated for 40 kinds of POPs including 17 types of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and 23 types of organochlorine pesticides (OCP). Furthermore, the Korean version of the Rome III criteria was used to identify gastrointestinal symptoms. RESULTS: Based on our results, abdominal discomfort showed an inverse relationship with several PCBs and an inverted U-shaped relationship with several other OCPs including pp-DDD and pp-DDT. The effects of pp-DDD and pp-DDT on abdominal discomfort were similar to those of OCPs on obesity and metabolic syndrome. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that mild and unspecified gastrointestinal symptoms with no clear causes could be related to POP levels.
Academic Medical Centers ; Constipation ; Diarrhea ; Gyeongsangbuk-do ; Mass Screening ; Nervous System ; Obesity ; Pesticides ; Plasma ; Polychlorinated Biphenyls ; Public Health

BACKGROUND: Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are toxic materials that cannot be broken down naturally and that easily accumulate in the body. Although several studies have attempted to uncover the effects of POPs on the endocrine and nervous systems and on cancer, few focus on the relationship between low-dose POPs and public health. Here, we attempt to determine the relationship between the level of POPs and common gastrointestinal symptoms, including abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, and constipation. METHODS: We recruited 121 subjects who visited Kyungpook National University Medical Center for health screening. Plasma concentrations were evaluated for 40 kinds of POPs including 17 types of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and 23 types of organochlorine pesticides (OCP). Furthermore, the Korean version of the Rome III criteria was used to identify gastrointestinal symptoms. RESULTS: Based on our results, abdominal discomfort showed an inverse relationship with several PCBs and an inverted U-shaped relationship with several other OCPs including pp-DDD and pp-DDT. The effects of pp-DDD and pp-DDT on abdominal discomfort were similar to those of OCPs on obesity and metabolic syndrome. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that mild and unspecified gastrointestinal symptoms with no clear causes could be related to POP levels.
Academic Medical Centers ; Constipation ; Diarrhea ; Gyeongsangbuk-do ; Mass Screening ; Nervous System ; Obesity ; Pesticides ; Plasma ; Polychlorinated Biphenyls ; Public Health

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness and safety of atomoxetine in Korean children and adolescents with epilepsy. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the electronic medical records of 105 children and adolescents with epilepsy treated with atomoxetine. Effectiveness was measured with the Clinical Global Impressions-Severity (CGI-S) and/or Clinical Global Impressions-Improvement (CGI-I) scales at baseline, and after 4 and 12 weeks. We defined response to atomoxetine as a CGI-I score less than three at week 12. Safety was evaluated at each visit, based on clinical assessment by a child and adolescent psychiatrist and reports from participants or their caregivers. Results: In total participants (n=105), 33 (31.4%) showed a response to treatment: a significant decrease in CGI-S scale score was observed over 12 weeks of atomoxetine treatment. The most common adverse event (AE) was decreased appetite (n=16, 15.2%), and life-threatening AEs were not observed. Seizure aggravation due to atomoxetine was observed in 7.6% (n=8) of total participants, and one of them discontinued atomoxetine. Conclusion Our results provide preliminary evidence of the effectiveness and safety of atomoxetine in children and adolescents with epilepsy.

PURPOSE: Metformin is associated with an anticancer effect. However, the effects of metformin in rectal cancer are controversial. This study investigated the impact of metformin on the survival of patients with diabetes mellitus and nonmetastatic rectal cancer who underwent curative surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The database was provided by the Korea Center Cancer Registry and National Health Insurance Service of the Republic of Korea. A cohort of patients with newly diagnosed rectal cancer between 2005 and 2011 was identified. Drug exposure was defined as receiving the oral hypoglycemic agent for at least 90 days over the period from 6 months before the initial diagnosis of rectal cancer to the last follow-up. RESULTS: A total of 4,503 patients were prescribed oral hypoglycemic agents and classified as the diabetic group, of which 3,694 patients received metformin for at least 90 days. Unadjusted analyses showed a significantly higher overall survival (hazard ratio, 0.596; 95% confidence interval, 0.506 to 0.702) and rectal cancer-specific survival (hazard ratio, 0.621; 95% confidence interval, 0.507 to 0.760) in the metformin group than in the nonmetformin group. The adjusted overall survival (hazard ratio, 0.631; 95% confidence interval, 0.527 to 0.755) and cancer-specific survival (hazard ratio, 0.598; 95% confidence interval, 0.479 to 0.746) in the group with a medication possession ratio of 80% or greater was significantly higher than in the group with a medication possession ratio of less than 80%. CONCLUSION: Metformin use is associated with overall and cancer-specific survival in diabetic patients with a nonmetastatic rectal cancer treated with a curative resection.
Cohort Studies ; Colorectal Surgery ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Diagnosis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hypoglycemic Agents ; Korea ; Metformin* ; National Health Programs ; Rectal Neoplasms* ; Republic of Korea

MIN GLASSES is specially manufactured in order to enhance satisfaction of wearer and therefore increase the effectiveness of treatment of an amblyopia and a diplopia. One of the lens is specially grounded and coated to blur vision. Cosmetically, the eye appears to wear regular glasses through the blur lens. We prospectively studied 58 amblyopic children and 10 diplopic adults. Each patient was treated with MIN GLASSES for cosmetic problems. We checked linear visual acuity of pre- and post-treatment. Questionnaires were given to the patients and parents regarding cosmetic satisfaction with treatment. In amblyopic children. 44 patients(75.9%) showed visual acuity improvement of 1.61 +/- 1.50 lines by Han's visual acuity chart. Patient compliance was 87.9%(51 patients) with patient satisfaction based on a questionnaire response. Parents were 87.9%(51 parents) positive response. In diplopic adults, 10 patients(100%) were positive response with satisfaction and demonstrated to be free of symptom of diplopia. MIN GLASSES is effective in high compliance satisfaction of amblyopia and diplopia, and improvement of visual acuity of amblyopia.
Adult ; Amblyopia* ; Child ; Compliance ; Diplopia* ; Eyeglasses* ; Glass* ; Humans ; Parents ; Patient Compliance ; Patient Satisfaction ; Prospective Studies ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Visual Acuity

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BACKGROUND: The waist/hip ratio in an useful index of abodominal obesity, but it includes two variables which may result in a false interpretation. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the usefulness of waist/height ratio as a predictor for the risk factors of coronary artery disease(CAD). METHODS: 1,395 persons(818 men & 577 women) were selected as subjects who visited the Health Examination Center at Ewha Mokdong Hospital from October 1998 to March 1997. Waist circumference was measured at the level of umblicus with standing position. Hip circumference was measured at the level of the largest circumference of the hip. We set the criteria if the risk factors as hypertension(systolic BP > OR = 140mmHg and/or diastolic BP > OR = 90mmHg), glucose intolence (fastng blood glucose > OR = 115mg/dl) hypertriglyceridemia(>160mg/dl), hypercholesterolemia(> OR = 200mg/dl), and low HDL-cholesterol level(<35mg/dl). The morbidity index of CAD was calculated by the sim if the risk factor scores(one point per item if present). RESULTS: There was significant correlation between waist/height ratio, waist/hip ratio and body mass index(BMI)(p=0.0001). BMI had more strong correlation with waist/height ratio(r=0.81) than waist/hip ratio(r=0.48). According to the simple regression analysis, BMI, waist/hip ratio and waist/height ratio had significant correlation with all of the risk factors and the morbidity index, According to the multiple regression analysis, waist/height ratio had significant correlation with age, weight, height, systolic BP, triglyceride, cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol. The risk factor morbidity index of the groups with waist/height ratio over 0.45 was significantly more higher than the group of the lowest risk factor morbidity index(waist/height ratio under 0.4) in men(p=0.01). for women, 0.46 was the level which the risk factor morbidity index increased significantly (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Waist/height ratio can be a useful index of abdominal obesity. And it may be used as a more easier and better predictor of multiple CAD risk factors than waist/hip ratio. We can predict that waist/height ratio over 0.45 in men and over 0.46 in women may have more higher coronary artery disease risk.
Blood Glucose ; Cholesterol ; Coronary Artery Disease* ; Coronary Vessels* ; Female ; Glucose ; Hip ; Humans ; Male ; Obesity ; Obesity, Abdominal ; Risk Factors* ; Triglycerides ; Waist Circumference

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: To determine how cognitive function is related to epilepsy classification and comorbid attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children with newly diagnosed epilepsy of genetic or unknown etiology. METHODS: The medical records of children aged 6-16 years with newly diagnosed epilepsy of genetic or unknown etiology were reviewed retrospectively. The Korean Education Development Institute-Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children and the Comprehensive Attention Test were used to evaluate intelligence and attention/executive function, respectively. RESULTS: The data of a total of 149 children, 103 with focal seizures and 46 with generalized seizures, were reviewed. The prevalence of ADHD was 49.2% (59 out of 120 examined patients), and ADHD patients exhibited significantly worse auditory selective attention, flanker test results, and spatial working memory. Patients with generalized seizures exhibited significantly worse auditory selective and sustained attention than patients with focal seizures. In patients with generalized seizures, sustained attention, flanker test findings, and spatial working memory were found to be affected by ADHD, and auditory selective and sustained attention were significantly worse in patients with benign childhood epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes and ADHD than in their counterparts without ADHD. CONCLUSIONS: Cognitive processes are affected by seizure type and comorbid ADHD. Proper characterization of these neuropsychiatric impairments may allow earlier intervention during the disease course.
Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity* ; Child ; Classification ; Cognition ; Education ; Epilepsy* ; Humans ; Intelligence ; Medical Records ; Memory, Short-Term ; Prevalence ; Retrospective Studies ; Seizures