Roots of manually extracted scalp hairs among 86 healthy Koreans in different age groups were examined microscopically and the proportion of resting hairs to growing hairs were determined with the fol[owing results. 1. The proportion of resting hairs in all age groups was 10. 9% and there was no significant difference between male and female. 2. In each age group the proportion of resting hairs show's difference, being lowest (6. 8%) in below 9 years age group, increasing the rate by increasing the age group, highest (19. 7%) in over 60 years age group. 3. The proportion of resting hairs below the age of 29 years was below 10%, above 30 years to 49 years in between 10% to 15% and over 50 years in between 15% to 20%. 4. The normal range of the proportion of resting hairs among normal Koreans was below 20%.
Dermatitis, Atopic* ; Female ; Hair ; Humans ; Male ; Neutrophils* ; Reference Values ; Scalp

The present study was performed to evaluate clinical manifestations in 26 patients and histopathological findings in 19 patients with Behcets syndrome. 1. Clinical findings: A. Among the 26 patients, 9 were male and 17 were female (male to female ratio was 1: l.9). The age at onset of the disease varied from 10 to 62, with a mean of 26.9. B. The incidence of the major clinical manifestations: The oral ulcers were observed in all of the 26 patients, genital ulcers in 21 patients (81%), cutaneous manifestations in 25 patients (96%) and ocular lesions in 7 patients (27%). C. Saline intradermal test was positive in 62% and PPD intradermal test in 42% 2. Histopathological findings: Fourty-one specimens were taken frorn 19 patients with Behcets syndrome; Erythema nodosum like lesions (15), edematous papules (3), acneiform eruption (1), oral ulcers (4), genital ulcers (8), saline intradermal injection sites (5) and PPD intradermal test sites (5). As a control, 4 specirnens were taken from PPD test sites of the patients with erythem nodosum. The common histopathological findings were perivascular inflammatory cell infiltration, mainly composed of neutrophils and nuclear dusts, and vasculitis of varying degree. A. Cutaneous lesions; In erythema nodosum-like lesions main pathologic foci were in the deep dermis and/or the subcutis, and moderate to severe vasculitis were observed. In edematous papules, however, main foci were in the pa,pill- ary dermis and the upper dermis, papillary dermal edema was prorninent, and vasculitis was rather mild.
Acneiform Eruptions ; Behcet Syndrome* ; Dermis ; Dust ; Edema ; Erythema ; Erythema Nodosum ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Injections, Intradermal ; Intradermal Tests ; Male ; Neutrophils ; Oral Ulcer ; Ulcer ; Vasculitis

Chronic liver disease was characterized difficult to cure, long-standing disease. Patients with chronic liver disease were searching for complementary treatments to recover form illness, while they have been treated by the doctor. This study was carried out to explore application of alternative therapies in patients with chronic liver disease. For this survey, the questionnaire were developed by researchers and the data were collected for two months. Among the 192 subjects, 155 were hospitalized and 37 were out patient department and the majority of diagnoses were chronic hepatitis (42.2%), liver cirrhosis (31.3%), primary liver carcinoma (14.6%). The results were as follows. 1. Patients who have had experiences with alternative therapies were 128, not undergone were 64. Varried alternative therapies were used and 46.9% of 128 subjects used both hospitals and alternative therapies simultaneously. 2. Patients have looked for alternative therapies in the early stage of disease (71.1%), and motivated to decide a matter of having use complementary therapies as alternatives for treatments (64.8%), and obtained information from their families and friends (48.2%), mass media (14.8%). The majority of patients were acknowledged that laternative treatments have no effectiveness really but it gives them psychological comfort. And the patients have payed a lot of money in cost of alternative therapies fee ; 1.4 times higher than hospitals. 3. Among the 128 subjects, 43.8% patients were communicated with their physicians about complementary therapies, 56.2% were not. 82.1% patients who asked their physicians were experienced negative responses of their doctors. 4. patients were expected the higher effect of alternative therapies when they have been delivered treatment by hospitals with complementary therapies (chi2=57.84, P<0.05), and then they evaluated the treatment effect better in this treatment pattern (chi2=25.26, P<0.05). And in terms of general characteristics of the patients, the only duration of illness was showed the significant relationship with the utilization of alternative therapies (chi2=8.44, P<0.05). 5. In no used alternative therapies group, the reason that they have not taken alternative therapies were ; to keep their physician's prescription, to refuse alternative therapies by their physicians, and to have no trust themselves on alternative therapies. In conclusion, the further study will be required the patients' experience using alternative therapies as the progress of disease in terms of holistic view of patients.
Complementary Therapies* ; Diagnosis ; Fees and Charges ; Friends ; Hepatitis, Chronic ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; Liver Diseases* ; Liver* ; Mass Media ; Prescriptions ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Subepiderral calcified nodules is a special form of idiopathic calcinosis circumscripta with its distinct clinical and histopathologic features, which was originally described by Winer(1952) as solitary congenital no3ular czlcification of the skin. Although the lesions are usually solitary and congenital, subs aquent investigators reported multiple lesions and later onset. Clinically, th. leions are small hard. yellowish-white warty nodules developed. usually on the face and mostly in children and histopathologically are subepidermal calcified mass with s cvn4ry epidermal changes. Although the pathogenesis is still unexplained, it s seems that the disease is not associated with any systemic or cutaneous disease or any biochemial abnormalities. We present a first recorded case of subepidermal calcified no3ules developed on the left the a Korasn female, aged 23, which has been present for 7 years. Shave biopsy showed typical histopathologic and histochemical features of the subpidermal calcified nodules. Literature were reviewed.
Biopsy ; Calcinosis ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Research Personnel ; Skin

The present study was performed to evaluate clinical manifestations and histopatological findings of 95 patients with pityriasis roses who visited the Department of Dermatology in National Medical Center from October of 1979 to September of 1982. The results are as follows, 1. Clinical Manifestations: 1. The number of patients with pityriasis roses were 95, which occupied 0. 98/o of new out-patients in the department of dermatology in the same period. 2. In sex distribution, males were 36 and females were 59, with male to female ratio of I: l. 6. R. Age of onset varied from 13 months to 58 years with a mean of 26. 0 years and 68% of cases belonged to 15 years to 84 years. 4. Seasonal incidence was 32% in winter, 27% in summer, 22% in autumn and l9% in spring. 5. iMild prodromal symptoms developed in 8 cases(%) and itching was noted in 58 cases (61%), which was mild to moderate exeept for severe itching in 2 cases. 6. Herald patch was found in 42 cases (44%) and the predilection sites were the trunk and the thighs. 7. Daughter lesions could be classified into macular type 69 cases (73g), pa.pular type 22 cases (23%), pustular type 2 cases (2%), urticarial type 1 case (I,3 and purpuric type 1 case (1%) They appeared on the back (79%), the chest (74%), the abdomen(73%), the thighs (47%), the upper arms (40%), the lower legs (24%),the forearrns (22%), the neck (16%), the face (7 %), dorsa of the hands (4%) and dorsa of the feet(2%). (countinue..)
Age of Onset ; Arm ; Dermatology ; Female ; Hand ; Humans ; Incidence ; Leg ; Male ; Neck ; Nuclear Family ; Outpatients ; Pityriasis Rosea* ; Pityriasis* ; Prodromal Symptoms ; Pruritus ; Seasons ; Sex Distribution ; Thigh ; Thorax

The beneficial effects of sunlight and ultraviolet light for the treatment, of psoriasis vulgaris has long been recognized. Parrish et al were the first to introduce a controlled light source, which allowed the delivery of a known quantity of light energy to the patients skin after the patient had ingested a photosensitizer, 8-methoxypsoralen (methoxsalen) two hours previous to UVA exposure. This successful treatment has become known as PUVA (psoralen and UVA). PUVA photochernotherapy denotes a systemic approach that is based on the interaction of light and a photoactive drug. Parrish et al have described successful treatment of psoriasis with PUVA and other investigators alI over the world have confirmed their beneficial results. The rationale of photochemotherapy in psoriasis is the inhibition of the increased DNA synthesis within the psoriatic lesions by the interaction of psoralen molecule and light energy in the UVA range(320-400nm). The present study was undertaken to evaluate the therapeutic effectiveness of PUVA photochernotherapy combining orally administered methoxsalen and UAA exposure using Dermatron UVA phototherapy system in patients with wi5espread psoriasis. A total of 15 patients with psoriasis over more than 30% of their bodies were selected at the department of dermatology, National Medical Center through March 1978 to September 1978. Oral administration of methoxsalen, 20 to 50 mg doses according to body weight, was followed by exposure to a high-intensity longwave ultraviolet light emitting a continuous spectrum between 320 and 400nm (peak emission, 350 - 365nm). Initial UVA exposure times were based on each patients minimal phototoxicity dose (MPD) and exposure times were increased at each treatment by 1 - 2 minutes to maintain minimal erythema. Frequency of treatment was two to three times weekly. Once the psoriatic lesions had, cleared completely the patient was placed on a maintenance schedule. If psoriasis recurred the frequency of treatment was increased. The results were as follows: l. 5 patients were dropped out due to unknown reasons. 2. 7 cases showed clearing of over 95, of the lesions (Response 5'). Mean number of PU VA therapy was 16. 7. During 1 4 months follow-up period, 4 cases remained free of psoriasis but 3 cases couldn't be followed. 3. Immediate side effects of PUVA were temporary and generally mild. No significant changes in laboratory screenings were noted. Side effects of therapy included transient nausea(33.3%), dizziness(26.7%), erythema.(66.7%), pruritus (60%), increased pigrnentation(100 %). 4. Comparison of pre-and post-PUVA therapy in biopsy specimens by light microscopy revealed histologic improvement evidenced by diminished acanthosis and parakeratosis, and regeneration of granular layers in all of 8 cases. Glycogen accumulation in the affected epiderrnis was significantly decreased or absent after PUVA therapy in all cases.
Administration, Oral ; Appointments and Schedules ; Biopsy ; Body Weight ; Dermatitis, Phototoxic ; Dermatology ; DNA ; Erythema ; Ficusin ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glycogen ; Humans ; Mass Screening ; Methoxsalen ; Microscopy ; Parakeratosis ; Photochemotherapy* ; Phototherapy ; Pruritus ; Psoriasis* ; PUVA Therapy ; Regeneration ; Research Personnel ; Skin ; Sunlight ; Ultraviolet Rays

The nevua of Ota is a congenital pigmentary disorder of the skin and mucaus membrane, partieularly in the periorbital region, the temple, the forehead, the malar area and the nose. The nevus of Ita differs from the nevus of Ota in its distribution in the supraclavicular, scapular, and deltoid regions. It may occur alone or in association with ipsilateral or rarely with bilateral nevus of Ota. We present a 22 year-old female who has had pigmentary anomalies on the both malar areas and left sclera associated with pigmentation of the right shoulder.
Female ; Forehead ; Humans ; Membranes ; Nevus of Ota* ; Nevus* ; Nose ; Pigmentation ; Sclera ; Shoulder ; Skin ; Young Adult

There have been reported some important findings in immunology of psoriasis, such as lower than normal level of IgM, defective humoral immune, responsiveness to newly administered antigens during cytotoxic drug therapy, lower than normal incidence of active sensitization with DNCB, prolonged skin heterograft survival and presence of anti-IgG antibody in peripheral lymphocytes. These findings are strongly suggestive of some humoral as well as cellular immunne dysfunction in patients with psoriasis. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the therapeutic effectiveness of BCG, a potent nonspecific immune stimulator, in patierts with psoriasis. Total 41 cases of more than 2 years' duration of illness and with widespread involvement and having had history of various previous treatment were slelcted at the Department of Dermatology, National Medical Center during October, 1973 and October, 1974, Liquid BCG(manufactured by NIH, Korea) was administered intradermally in a starting dose of 0.1 ml(0.01 mg in dry weight) weekly. The dosage of BCG was increased to 0.3 or 0.5ml after 3 or 5 injections and this dosage was maintained until some clinical changes were observed. The mean injection time to each patient was 20. 7.The results were as follows: 1. Eighteen cases showed no therapeutic response or aggravation of the lesions. 2. Six cases showed good therapeutic effect, resulting in only a few small lesions remained on elbows, knees or scalp areas. 3. Fourteen cases showed excellent therapeutic effect, that is complete disappearance of the lesions. During 2 to 6 months'follow up period, 7 cases showed relapse and the remainders are still under observation. The mechanism of influence of BCG on the clinical course of psoriatic patients is not determined, however, possible mechanism was discussed.
Allergy and Immunology ; Dermatology ; Dinitrochlorobenzene ; Drug Therapy ; Elbow ; Heterografts ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin M ; Incidence ; Knee ; Lymphocytes ; Mycobacterium bovis* ; Psoriasis* ; Recurrence ; Scalp ; Skin

Prurigo nodularis is a troublesome chronic dermatosis that showed unsatisfactory response to conventional therapies. Since thalidomide has been applied to the treatment of prurigo nodularis, although the action mechanism is still uncertain, many dermatologists have confirmed its effectiveness. We treated a 54-year-old male patient who had prurigo nodularis affecting the whole body for 10 years with 100 to 300mg of thalidomide daily as the sole therapy for 4 months. The skin lesions were flattened leaving postinflammatory hyperpigmentation and the pruritus also sub-sided. Two years after stopping thalidomide, no recurrence was observed.
Humans ; Hyperpigmentation ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prurigo* ; Pruritus ; Recurrence ; Skin ; Skin Diseases ; Thalidomide*

BACKGROUND: According to the areas and people that are examined, there are many differences in the prevalence of syphilis in Korea. However, the reactive rate of the serologi test for syphilis showed an increase in the 1960s, and it has deerea@sed from the beginning of the 1970s. OBJECTIVE: Comparing the results of tke serologic test for syphilis which lotad been performed for the 5 years(1987-1991) on the physical examines and pregnant women who were considered as healthy, with the results with normal people, who were considered as healthy, which had been already reported, we tried to observe the change of reactive rate of serologic test for syphili. METHODS: The serologic test for syphilis, including serum VDRL test and serum TPHA test, were carried out on 25,254 healthy adults(20,405 were physical examineea eamined at National Medical Center and 4,849 were pregnant women delivered at National Medical Cer ter). RESULTS: The reaetive rate of serum VDRL test was 0.8% in 25,25 the althy adults(physical examinees 0.8%, pregnant women 0.7%). There were no stistically differerces between the annual incidences. 85.5% of VDRL-reactive subjects showed low VDRL titers(below 1:4) by the quantitative serum VDRL test, The biologic false positive reaction of serum VDRL test was 29(19.5%) in 149 VDRL-reactive subjects, using serum TPHA test as a standard. CONCLUSION: This study suggested thai, there was a decrease in the prevslence of syphilis in Korea.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; False Positive Reactions ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea* ; Pregnant Women ; Prevalence* ; Serologic Tests ; Syphilis*