OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to estimate the incidence rate, and to identify the risk factors for the occupational low back pain among shipyard workers. METHODS: The study subjects consisted of 9,784 workers who were employed in a ship-building industry(excluded workers who had a history of low pack pain before 1995 or did not take periodic health examination in 1995). The cases were 220 people who experienced back pain from January 1, 1996 to December 31, 1998. To assess risk factors for occupational low back pain, Cox propotional hazard model was used. RESULTS: During the recent three years from 1996 to 1998, the incidence rate per 1,000 persons was 7. 8 in 1996, 8. 8 in 1997, and 3. 1 in 1998. The main causes of work-related low back pain were sprain, strain and disc herniation. Lifting was the most common cause of back pain(35. 3%), and carrying(10.2%) and pulling(8.0%) were followed. In Cox proportional harzard model, independent risk factors for back pain were body mass index(R.R.; 1.54, 959o C.I.: 1.06-2.25), shift work(R.R.; 1.65, 95% C.I.: 1.19-2.28), and lifting heavy material(R.R. ; 3.95, 95% C.I: 2.29-6.82). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that the risk factors of back pain in shipyard workers were body mass index, shift work and lifting.
Back Pain ; Body Mass Index ; Humans ; Incidence* ; Lifting ; Low Back Pain* ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Risk Factors* ; Sprains and Strains

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical results of operative treatment of the intra-articular calcaneal fracture with injectable calcium sulfate (MIIG(TM)). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between March 2004 and October 2006, a total 19 intra-articular calcaneal fracture (16 patients) with a large bony defect that underwent operative treatment with plate fixation and injectable calcium sulfate (MIIG(TM)) with minimum follow-up of one year following. The mean age at time of surgery was 44.7 years (23 to 54). All of the cases were type 2 and 3 on the basis of Sanders classification. The lateral L shaped approach was used in all cases. Full weight bearing on the affected extremity was regained at an average 10 weeks postoperatively. RESULTS: The mean B?hler angle was improved from 2 degrees (-18.5~12.5 degrees) preoperatively to 23.8 degrees (12~37.5 degrees) and the angle at last follow-up was 22.5 degrees (11.5~37.5 degrees), showing about 0.3 degree decline compared to postoperative B?hler angle. Only two case of whitish leakage of graft material but other complication were none. CONCLUSION: MIIG(TM) augumentation of displaced intra-articular calcaneal fracture with large bone defect seems to bo useful method for initial stabilized and plate fixation.
Calcaneus ; Calcium Sulfate* ; Calcium* ; Classification ; Extremities ; Follow-Up Studies ; Intra-Articular Fractures ; Transplants ; Weight-Bearing

OBJECTIVE: To define whether lactase-deficient subjects are intolerable to even a pack of milk(200ml) and whether milk intolerance in the patients with IBD is only due to lactose malabsorption, we performed this study. METHODS: We evaluated 32 healthy adults and 12 patients with active stage of inflammatory bowel disease(IBD) who had not received antibiotics therapy within the previous 3 weeks. Thirty-two healthy adults underwent H2-breath test with 200, 400, 600 and 800ml of milk at 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th day of study, respectively. We measured their end-expiratory hydrogen concentrations and asked them to record the gastrointestinal symptoms. Twelve patients with IBD were tested only with 200ml of milk. Lactose malabsorption was defined as the increase of 20ppm over basal H2 concentration and lactose intolerance as having two or more of the following symptoms; abdominal pain, diarrhea, borborygmus and flatus. RESULTS: The prevalence of lactase deficiency was 72%(23 of 32 subjects) at 800ml of milk(lactose 40g). Among the lactase-deficient subjects, lactose intolerance at 200ml of milk(lactose 10g) was noticed only in 13%(3 of 23 subjects). In the patients with active stage of IBD, the frequency of milk intolerance at 200ml of milk was 50%(6 of 12 subjects), which was higher than in the healthy adults(9%). But the prevalence of lactose malabsorber in the patients with IBD at 200ml of milk(17%) was not higher than in the healthy adults(16%). CONCLUSION: Most of lactase-deficient subjects(87%) can ingest one pack of milk without lactose intolerance. The increased prevalence of lactose intolerance in the patients with IBD at 200ml of milk is not originated from lactose malabsorption, but probably from incomplete colonic compensation salvage.
Abdominal Pain ; Adult ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Colon ; Compensation and Redress ; Diarrhea ; Drinking* ; Flatulence ; Humans ; Hydrogen ; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases* ; Lactase* ; Lactose Intolerance* ; Lactose* ; Milk* ; Prevalence

PURPOSE: The distal chevron osteotomy has gained popularity for the mild to moderate hallux valgus, but necessity of fixation is controversy. No fixation of distal chevron osteotomy cause instability, but fixation has problem which has pin site infection and irritability, extension of operation time, discomfort of rehabilitation. So, the author was going to analyse and compare with and without in the fixation of distal chevron osteotomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 2004 and 2005, a total 18 patients (20 feet) following with and without in fixation of distal chevron osteotomies. The fixation group (A) was performed for the treatment of 10 patients (10 feet) and no fixation group (B) was done to 8 patients (10 feet). RESULTS: On group A, the mean first MTP (metatarsophalangeal) angle corrected 17 degrees pre-operatively to average 29 degrees (range; 20-37 degrees) and the mean first IM (intermetatarsal) angle corrected 10 degrees pre-operatively to average 15 degrees (range; 9-18 degrees). On Group B, the mean first MTP angle corrected 16 degrees pre-operatively to average 29 degrees (range; 18-33 degrees) and the mean first IM angle corrected 7 degrees pre-operatively to average 13 degrees (range; 9-16 degrees) (P>0.05). Clinical results, based on AOFAS score showed an improvement in the overall results. CONCLUSIONS: Comparing the clinical and radiographic results of the distal chevron osteotomies no difference in with and without fixation of distal chevron osteotomies.
Hallux Valgus* ; Hallux* ; Humans ; Osteotomy* ; Rehabilitation

The plica is a remnant of the synovial folds during the coalescence of three compartments of the knee at 8 weeks of fetal development. The plica are classified according to their corresponding anatomic sites of the knee, such as suprapatellar, medial patellar, infrapatellar and lateral patellar plica. The medial patellar plica is considered to be the one most likely to cause problems and has been well documented in the literature. However, there are very few reports of problems being caused by lateral plica. We encountered one case of pathologic lateral plica that was excised by arthroscopy. We report this case with a review of the relevant literature.
Arthroscopy ; Fetal Development ; Knee

PURPOSE: This study examined the difference in the reduction of the amount of required allogenic transfusion after bilateral total knee arthroplasty when an autotransfusion device was used. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The subjects were ninety five patients who underwent sequential bilateral total knee arthroplasty from January 2006 to May 2010 by one surgeon. The first group was 50 patients who did not have an autotransfusion device used and second group of 45 patients were those who had an autotransfusion device used during the postoperative period. Group 1 received allogenic blood transfusion with a standard level of postoperative hemoglobin. The group 2 patients were reinfused with as much blood as was collected by an autotransfusion suction bag and then they received allogenic blood transfusion with a standard level of postoperative hemoglobin. RESULTS: The total blood loss and amount of blood transfusion were almost the same in the two groups. The mean amount of allotransfusion was 1,270.0 mL in group 1 and 564.4 mL in group 2 and the reduced amount of allotransfusion in group 2 was statistically significant (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Using an autotransfusion device is a good method to reduce the mean amount of allotransfusion after bilateral sequential total knee arthroplasty.
Arthroplasty ; Blood Transfusion ; Blood Transfusion, Autologous ; Hemoglobins ; Humans ; Knee ; Postoperative Period ; Suction

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Since echocardiography became a routine diagnostic tool, pericardial effusion has become a common clinical finding. The major causes of hemorrhagic pericardial effusion are malignancy and tuberculosis. However, it was unknown to the use of biochemical analysis of pericardial fluid and serum, for differentiation of malignancy from tuberculosis. To evaluate this, we investigated the biochemical analysis of pericardial fluid and serum in relation to the causes of pericardial tamponade. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: 46 patients who were admitted to Pusan National University Hospital from January 1, 1995, to April 30, 2002, and underwent both a pericardiocentesis and a pericardiostomy for the relif of cardiac tamponade, were included in this study. the pericardial fluid was routinely analyzed for the following: gross appearance, cell count, glucose, total protein(P), lactate dehydrogenase(LDH), cytology, gram stain, cultures for bacteria and mycobacterium, pericardial fluid to serum ratios of total protein and lactate dehydrogenase,(p/s TP, p/s LDH, respectively). RESULTS: f the 46 patients who underwent both pericardiocentesis and pericardiostomy, for the relief of cardiac tamponade, 33 patients(71.7%) had hemorrhagic pericardial effusion. The common causes of hemorrhagic pericardial effusion were malignancy(51.5%) and tuberculosis(33.3%) but, those of nonhemorrhagic pericardial effusion were idiopathic (38.5%). Cell counts were higher in hemorrhagic than nonhemorrhagic group(p=.029). Serum LDH(sLDH) was higher in malignant than tuberculous group(p=.001) but, serum total protein(sTP) was higher in tuberculous group(p=.004). Compared malignant group with tuberculosis group in patients with hemorrhagic pericardial effusion, p/s ratio of LDH and sTP were higher in tuberculous group (p=.029, p=.017), but sLDH was higher in malignant group(p=0.002). CONCLUSION: It is difficult to differentiate tuberculosis from malignancy only on the basis of the biochemical analysis of pericardial fluid in hemorrhagic pericardial effusion. However, the analysis of both pericardial fluid and serum may make it possible to evaluate the cause of pericardial effusion.
Bacteria ; Blood Chemical Analysis ; Busan ; Cardiac Tamponade ; Cell Count ; Echocardiography ; Glucose ; Humans ; Lactic Acid ; Mycobacterium ; Pericardial Effusion* ; Pericardial Window Techniques ; Pericardiocentesis ; Tuberculosis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Cardiovascular morbidities and mortalities due to persistent hypertension, left ventricular (LV) dysfunction and increased LV mass have been reported in adolescents and adults with successful coarctoplasty. We evaluated progressive properties by measuring resting blood pressures (BP), LV functions and the masses in young children with successful coarctoplasty in infancy. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: BP in the right arm and the left ankle, LV function and mass, by the use of M-mode and pulsed wave Doppler ultrasound, were measured in 25 patients, with a mean age of 6.4+/-3 years; and a mean age at the time of repair of 0.22+/-0.24 years, and in 22 control subjects, with a mean age of 5.8+/-2.4 years. All subjects were divided into two groups based on age (more than 5 years of age and less than 5 years of age) and were analyzed independently. RESULTS: BP in the right arm and left ankle, LV function and mass showed no consistent differences between the two groups. However, as age increased, there was a tendency of wide pulse pressure (PP) in the right arm of patients contrary to that in the control subjects. The relative increase in the PP was mainly due to a relative decrease in the diastolic BP. There was a significant increase in the LV mass index of patients with increasing age (p<0.01). The LV mass index showed significant positive correlations with the systolic BP (p<0.05) and the pulse pressure (p<0.05) of the right arm of the patients. CONCLUSION: We recommend careful long-term follow-up through out adulthood to reduce morbidity and mortality, even for children who received successful coarctoplasty in early infancy.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Ankle ; Aortic Coarctation ; Arm ; Blood Pressure ; Child* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular ; Mortality ; Ultrasonography ; Ventricular Function ; Ventricular Function, Left*

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Choledochal cyst is an unusual but serious condition which most commonly affects Oriental people. And it is an unusual entity that has increasingly been encountered by ultrasonography and computed tomography scan, even if the symptoms are variable. METHODS: We reviewed 23 patients with choledochal cyst who were treated at the Department of Internal Medicine, Pusan Paik Hospital from April, 1986 to April 1995. RESULTS: 1) Age ranged from 14 years to 73 years, and sex ratio was 1:1.4 in male vs female. 2) The durations of symptoms varied from 4 days to several years. 3) The major clinical symptoms were right upper quardrant pain in 19 cases, jaundice in 4 cases, abdominal mass in 2 cases. One case had all of above three symptoms. 4) The diagnostic tools were ultrasonography(USG) in l7 cases, ERCP in 11 cases, abdominal CT in 11 cases, PTC in 6 cases and oral GB in 1 case. The eight cases(61.5%) were confirmed as anomalous junction of the pancreaticobiliary ductal system(AJPBS) among the 13 cases who had performed ERCP. 5) The choledochal cysts were classified into type I to V according to the classification of Todani; Fifteen cases were type I, six cases type IVa, one case was type II and one case was type V, respectively. 6) Excision of choledochal cyst and Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy was performed in 10 cases, and choledocho-jejunostomy in 4 cases, and Whipple's operation in 2 cases. 7) The associated diseases were CBD stone in 8 cases, cholecystitis in 6 cases, intrahepatic stone in 2 cases, GB cancer in 1 case, and colon cancer in 1 case. CONCLUSIONS: ERCP should be used when choledochal cyst is suspected by USG, aiming at demonstrating both AJPBS and enabling the morphologic classification. In addition, Surgical procedures including the excision of choledochal cyst and Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy may be effective to reduce mortality and morbidity related to complication of choleclochal cyst.
Busan ; Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde ; Cholecystitis ; Choledochal Cyst* ; Classification ; Colonic Neoplasms ; Female ; Humans ; Internal Medicine ; Jaundice ; Male ; Mortality ; Sex Ratio ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Ultrasonography

BACKGROUND: Successful therapy for community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) requires appropriate empirical antimicrobial therapy based on the local microbe and resistance patterns. However, the available data on the bacterial etiology and antimicrobial susceptibility of CAP in Korea is very limited. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A nationwide prospective multicenter study of CAP in adult patients was carried out between March 2009 and February 2010. Most patients underwent detailed assessment for bacterial and viral pathogens (cultures, urinary antigen testing, serological methods and polymerase chain reaction). RESULTS: A total of 619 patients were studied. More than half (50.4%) of the patients were > or =65 years, 59.3% were males and 48.1% had underlying illness. The etiology was identified in 246 (39.7%) of the patients. The most common etiologic agent was Streptococcus pneumoniae (52 episodes, 21.1%), and the majority (36/52) of which were diagnosed by a positive urinary antigen test alone. The other common bacterial agents included Mycoplasma pneumoniae (41, 16.7%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (26, 10.6%), Chlamydia pneumoniae (13, 5.3%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (11, 4.3%) and Staphylococcus aureus (8, 3.1%). All S. pneumoniae isolates were susceptible to penicillin with MIC of 2 microg/mL or less, only 1/16 (6.2%) was resistant to levofloxacin and 10/16 (62.5%) were resistant to erythromycin. Of the 26 K. pneumoniae isolates, 25 (96.2%) were susceptible to cefotaxime and ciprofloxacin. CONCLUSIONS: S. pneumoniae remains the most frequent pathogen in adults with CAP and this should be covered with empirical antimicrobial treatment. Atypical pathogens such as M. pneumoniae and C. pneumoniae were the second most common etiologic agents and they should be tested for. The rate of CAP caused by gram-negative bacilli such as K. pneumoniae and P. aeruginosa was high, which is similar to that of the previous Korean studies. Further study, with excluding healthcare-associated pneumonia, is needed to clarify the etiology of CAP in Korea.
Adult ; Cefotaxime ; Chlamydophila pneumoniae ; Erythromycin ; Humans ; Klebsiella pneumoniae ; Korea ; Male ; Mycoplasma pneumoniae ; Ofloxacin ; Penicillins ; Pneumonia ; Pneumonia, Bacterial ; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma ; Prospective Studies ; Pseudomonas aeruginosa ; Staphylococcus aureus ; Streptococcus pneumoniae