BACKGROUND: The prevalence of skin diseases at a university hospital may not truly indicate their prevalence in the general population; nevertheless, it is the only available source of information. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of common dermatoses and compare this with previous reports. METHODS: We reviewed 29,477 new outpatients who visited the department of dermatology at Wonju Severance Christian Hospital from 2010 to 2014, and statistically analyzed the findings. RESULTS: Among the 29,477 outpatients, 14,501 (49.2%) were men and 14,976 (50.8%) were women. More patients were in their sixth decade (17.1%) or over 70 years (15.4%), in their seventh decade (13.5%) or in their fifth decade (13.0%), comprising 59% of the total outpatients. The 20 most common dermatoses were found to be urticaria, dermatophytosis, allergic contact dermatitis, other types of eczema, atopic dermatitis, pruritus, verruca, herpes zoster, alopecia, psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, drug eruptions, folliculitis, rosacea, benign epidermal tumor, melanocyte nevus, vitiligo, scabies, herpes simplex virus infection, and bacterial infection. In the distribution of dermatoses as disease groups, viral disease (11.2%), atopic dermatitis and eczema (10.7%); contact dermatitis and drug eruption (10.3%); erythema and urticaria (8.4%); fungal disease (7.6%); skin appendage disease (6.9%); seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, and pustular dermatoses (5.5%); epidermal nevi, neoplasms, and cysts (4.8%); pruritus and neurocutaneous dermatoses (4.6%); and acne (3.8%) constituted 73.8% of the total. CONCLUSION: Compared to the previous studies in the same area, the distribution of skin diseases was similar. The increasing tendency of older individuals with diseases in Gangwon province has persisted since 2000.
Acne Vulgaris ; Alopecia ; Bacterial Infections ; Dermatitis ; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; Dermatitis, Contact ; Dermatitis, Seborrheic ; Dermatology ; Drug Eruptions ; Eczema ; Erythema ; Female ; Folliculitis ; Gangwon-do* ; Herpes Zoster ; Humans ; Male ; Melanocytes ; Nevus ; Outpatients ; Prevalence ; Pruritus ; Psoriasis ; Rosacea ; Scabies ; Simplexvirus ; Skin ; Skin Diseases* ; Statistics as Topic* ; Tinea ; Urticaria ; Virus Diseases ; Vitiligo ; Warts

BACKGROUND: A variety of agents have been used to treat female pattern hair loss (FPHL), including topical minoxidil, topical 17α-estradiol, oral anti-androgen agents, and mineral supplements. Compared with these single agent regimens, combination therapies could be a better therapeutic option in expectation of superior treatment outcome. OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to determine the efficacy of a combination therapy consisting of topical 0.025% 17α-estradiol and 3% minoxidil in Korean patients with FPHL. METHODS: Therapeutic efficacy was evaluated in 34 women who applied topical 0.025% 17α-estradiol and 3% minoxidil once daily for more than 6 months. Phototrichogram analysis was performed before and after therapy. The efficacy was evaluated with respect to total hair count, hair caliber (as assessed by phototrichogram analysis), and photographic assessment. RESULTS: Total hair count and hair caliber both increased from baseline to 6 months in patients treated with the combination therapy of topical 0.025% 17α-estradiol and 3% minoxidil (p<0.001). Photographic assessment also revealed significant disease improvement, thus supporting the therapeutic efficacy. CONCLUSION: A combination therapy consisting of topical 0.025% 17α-estradiol and 3% minoxidil can be tried as an effective treatment for FPHL.
Alopecia ; Female* ; Hair* ; Humans ; Miners ; Minoxidil* ; Retrospective Studies* ; Treatment Outcome

No abstract available.
Alopecia*

Vulvar vestibular papillomatosis (VVP) is a benign condition that can be viewed as the female equivalent of male pearly penile papules. Clinically, VVP is quite often misdiagnosed as condyloma acuminatum. As opposed to condyloma, VVP lesions arise from a distinct mucosal base, match the color of the surrounding mucosa, show symmetrical distribution, and are limited to the inner aspect of the labia minora. Although VVP is quite well known in the gynecological field, this disease entity is not commonly recognized in dermatology settings. Furthermore, a literature search for VVP revealed only nine reports in dermatological journals including one report from Korea. Therefore, through our report we wish to create awareness among dermatologists regarding the occurrence of this frequent but often ignored entity. Recognizing and understanding that papillomatosis of the vulvar vestibule is a normal variant will help dermatologists to avoid incorrect diagnosis and repeated unnecessary treatment.
Dermatology ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Mucous Membrane ; Papilloma*

No abstract available.
Cellulitis*

No abstract available.
Choriocarcinoma* ; Female ; Neoplasm Metastasis* ; Pregnancy

BACKGROUND: We describe the genetic profiles of Korean patients with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiencies and the effects of G6PD mutations on protein stability and enzyme activity on the basis of in silico analysis. METHODS: In parallel with a genetic analysis, the pathogenicity of G6PD mutations detected in Korean patients was predicted in silico. The simulated effects of G6PD mutations were compared to the WHO classes based on G6PD enzyme activity. Four previously reported mutations and three newly diagnosed patients with missense mutations were estimated. RESULTS: One novel mutation (p.Cys385Gly, labeled G6PD Kangnam) and two known mutations [p.Ile220Met (G6PD São Paulo) and p.Glu416Lys (G6PD Tokyo)] were identified in this study. G6PD mutations identified in Koreans were also found in Brazil (G6PD São Paulo), Poland (G6PD Seoul), United States of America (G6PD Riley), Mexico (G6PD Guadalajara), and Japan (G6PD Tokyo). Several mutations occurred at the same nucleotide, but resulted in different amino acid residue changes in different ethnic populations (p.Ile380 variant, G6PD Calvo Mackenna; p.Cys385 variants, Tomah, Madrid, Lynwood; p.Arg387 variant, Beverly Hills; p.Pro396 variant, Bari; and p.Pro396Ala in India). On the basis of the in silico analysis, Class I or II mutations were predicted to be highly deleterious, and the effects of one Class IV mutation were equivocal. CONCLUSIONS: The genetic profiles of Korean individuals with G6PD mutations indicated that the same mutations may have arisen by independent mutational events, and were not derived from shared ancestral mutations. The in silico analysis provided insight into the role of G6PD mutations in enzyme function and stability.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group/*genetics ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; DNA/chemical synthesis/genetics/metabolism ; Exons ; Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase/chemistry/*genetics/metabolism ; Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency/*genetics/pathology ; Humans ; Male ; Mutation, Missense ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Protein Structure, Tertiary ; Republic of Korea ; Sequence Analysis, DNA

BACKGROUND: Bioimpedance analysis (BIA) helps measuring the constituents of the body noninvasively. Prior studies suggest that BIA-guided fluid assessment helps to predict survival in dialysis patients. We aimed to evaluate the clinical usefulness of BIA for predicting the survival rate of hemodialysis patients in Korea. METHODS: We conducted a single-center retrospective study. All patients were diagnosed with end-stage renal disorder and started maintenance hemodialysis between June 2009 and April 2014. BIA was performed within the 1st week from the start of hemodialysis. The patients were classified into 2 groups based on volume status measured by the body composition monitor (BCM; Fresenius): an overhydrated group [OG; overhydration/extracellular water (OH/ECW) >15%] and a nonoverhydrated group (NOG; OH/ECW < or =15%). RESULTS: A total of 344 patients met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 252 patients (73.3%) were categorized into the OG and 92 patients (26.7%) into the NOG. Age- and sex-matching patients were selected with a rate of 2:1. Finally, 160 overhydrated patients and 80 nonoverhydrated patients were analyzed. Initial levels of hemoglobin and serum albumin were significantly lower in the OG. During follow-up, 43 patients from the OG and 7 patients from the NOG died (median follow-up duration, 24.0 months). The multivariate-adjusted all-cause mortality was significantly increased in the OG (odds ratio, 2.569; P = 0.033) and older patients (odds ratio, 1.072/y; P < 0.001). No significant difference of all-cause or disease-specific admission rate was observed between the 2 groups. CONCLUSION: The ratio of OH/ECW volume measured with body composition monitor is related to the overall survival of end-stage renal disorder patients who started maintenance hemodialysis.
Body Composition ; Dialysis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Korea ; Mortality ; Renal Dialysis* ; Retrospective Studies ; Serum Albumin ; Survival Rate ; Water

Microglial activation during aging is associated with neuroinflammation and cognitive impairment. Galectin-3 plays a crucial role in microglial activation and phagocytosis. However, the role of galectin-3 in the aged brain is not completely understood. In the present study, we investigated aging-related mechanisms and microglial galectin-3 expression in the mouse hippocampus using female 6-, 12-, and 24-month-old C57BL/6 mice. Western blot analysis revealed neurodegeneration, blood-brain barrier leakage, and increased levels of neuroinflammation-related proteins in 24-month-old mice compared to 6- and 12-month-old mice. Immunohistochemistry revealed an increase in activated microglia in the hippocampus of 24-month-old mice compared to 6- and 12-month-old mice. Furthermore, we found more galectin-3 and triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-2-positive microglia in 24-month-old mice compared to 6- and 12-month-old mice. Using primary mouse microglial cells, galectin -3 was also increased by lipopolysaccharide treatment. These findings suggest that galectin-3 may play an important role in microglial activation and neuroinflammation during brain aging.

Microglial activation during aging is associated with neuroinflammation and cognitive impairment. Galectin-3 plays a crucial role in microglial activation and phagocytosis. However, the role of galectin-3 in the aged brain is not completely understood. In the present study, we investigated aging-related mechanisms and microglial galectin-3 expression in the mouse hippocampus using female 6-, 12-, and 24-month-old C57BL/6 mice. Western blot analysis revealed neurodegeneration, blood-brain barrier leakage, and increased levels of neuroinflammation-related proteins in 24-month-old mice compared to 6- and 12-month-old mice. Immunohistochemistry revealed an increase in activated microglia in the hippocampus of 24-month-old mice compared to 6- and 12-month-old mice. Furthermore, we found more galectin-3 and triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-2-positive microglia in 24-month-old mice compared to 6- and 12-month-old mice. Using primary mouse microglial cells, galectin -3 was also increased by lipopolysaccharide treatment. These findings suggest that galectin-3 may play an important role in microglial activation and neuroinflammation during brain aging.