PURPOSE: This study was conducted to evaluate the relationship between metabolic syndrome and the prostatic volume. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 1997 to December 2006, 555 male out-patients who visited our health care center were investigated and they underwent transrectal ultrasonogram of the prostate. The patients were divided into two groups; group A met the criteria for metabolic syndrome (128 patients) and group B did not meet the criteria (427 patients). The authors compared the age, the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and the prostate volume between these two groups. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in age and PSA between the two groups. The prostate volume was significantly larger in group A (39.5+/-17.3cc) than in group B (31.7+/-9.6cc). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study proved that metabolic syndrome and the prostate volume are related. Therefore, proper clinical management of metabolic syndrome should accompany the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
Delivery of Health Care ; Humans ; Male ; Outpatients ; Prostate* ; Prostate-Specific Antigen ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; Ultrasonography

An adrenocortical oncocytoma is very rare and unusual disease. Only 22 and 2 cases have been reported in the foreign and Korean literatures, respectively. Herein, the case of a left adrenocortical oncocytoma, observed by ultrasonography during a periodic medical examination of a 32 year old male patient is reported.
Adenoma ; Adenoma, Oxyphilic* ; Adult ; Humans ; Male ; Ultrasonography

PURPOSE: Recent studies have reported the association of obesity and advanced stage prostate cancer. We researched the association between body mass index(BMI), which is widely used to diagnose obesity, and the prostate-specific antigen(PSA) screening test for prostate cancer. METERIALS AND METHODS: The authors examined the association between BMI and PSA for 26,193 men who visited the health promotion center at our medical center from July 1998 to June 2004. The BMI(weight in kg/height in m2) was calculated from the measured height and weight and this was categorized as follows: BMI<18.5(underweight), BMI 18.5-23.0(normal weight), BMI 23.0-27.5(overweight), BMI>27.5(obesity). We measured the mean PSA value of each BMI category. After adjust for age, we evaluated the PSA according to BMI by using error bars and 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: The patients' age distribution was from 20 to 90 years old and their mean age was 46.1. The mean PSA value increased in a linear fashion with an increase in the age category(p<0.001), while it decreased in a linear fashion with an increase in the BMI category(p<0.001). After adjusting for age, the mean PSA value also decreased in a linear fashion with an increase in the BMI category(p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Men with an elevated BMI tend to have a lower value of PSA and to be misdiagnosed with prostate cancer. The PSA value should considered in relation to age and the BMI for the early detection of prostate cancer.
Age Distribution ; Aged, 80 and over ; Body Mass Index* ; Health Promotion ; Humans ; Male ; Mass Screening ; Obesity ; Prostate-Specific Antigen* ; Prostatic Neoplasms

PURPOSE: This purpose of this report was to study trends in cataract and refractive surgeries conducted during the past twelve years and to compare results to previous reports from the ASCRS and New Zealand (NZ) in order to forecast future medical services. METHODS: We surveyed members of the Korean Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (KSCRS) every year from 1995 to 2006, and studied changes in cataract and refractive surgeries (RS). RESULTS: The duration of hospitalization has been gradually decreasing to the point that a one day hospitalization following surgery has become common. The rate of topical anesthesia use has significantly increased since 1998. Sutureless incision methods are now commonly practiced. The use of acryl IOL as an optic material has been gradually increasing for cataract surgeries. KSCRS members showed an interest in the special intraocular lenses as multifocal IOL. While Excimer laser PRK was the most popular refractive surgery during the first stage, KSCRS members increasingly prefer LASIK to the Excimer laser PRK. Regression of the corrected visual acuity, dry eye, night halo, and flashes were the most common complications following refractive surgeries. Medical disputes related to PRK and LASIK have been gradually increasing throughout the study period. CONCLUSIONS: We confirm that the KSCRS practice styles for cataract and RS are similar to those of the ASCRS and NZ. We infer a world-wide trend from the comparison of these three societies.
Adult ; Cataract Extraction/statistics & numerical data/*trends ; Humans ; Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ/statistics & numerical data/trends ; Laser Therapy/statistics & numerical data/trends ; Lasers, Excimer ; Lenses, Intraocular/statistics & numerical data/trends ; Middle Aged ; Ophthalmology/statistics & numerical data/*trends ; Photorefractive Keratectomy/statistics & numerical data/trends ; Professional Practice/statistics & numerical data/*trends ; Questionnaires ; Refractive Surgical Procedures/statistics & numerical data/*trends ; Republic of Korea ; Societies, Medical

PURPOSE: To compare the usefulness of orbital ultrasound measurements of extraocular muscle thickness with that of CT measurements in patients with thyroid ophthalmopathy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fourteen patients with thyroid ophthalmopathy underwent orbital ultrasound and CT scanning, and 19 normal volunteers underwent ultrasound. For orbital ultrasound, a 5-10 MHz small part probe was applied to bilateral closed eyelids. The medial and lateral rectus muscles were measured on transverse scan, and the superior rectus complex and inferior rectus muscles on longitudinal scan. On orbital CT, the medial and lateral rectus muscles were measured on axial scan, and the superior rectus complex and inferior rectus muscle on coronal scan. The maximum thickness of the belly of each muscle was measured on both ultrasound and CT. The ultrasound detection rates for each measurable muscle were assessed in both the thyroid ophthalmopathy and normal control group, and the statistical significance of the thickness of extraocular muscles measured by ultrasound and CT was evalvated. RESULTS: In patients with thyroid ophthalmopathy and in the normal control group, all medial and lateral rec-tus muscles were successfully measured by ultrasound. The detection rate for the superior rectus complex was 60.7 % in the thyroid ophthalmopathy group and 63.1% in the normal control group, and for the inferior rectus muscle, 78.6% and 39.5% in the two respective groups. A comparison of measurements of the thickness of extraocular muscle using orbital ultrasound and CT showed no statistically significant difference between the medial rectus muscle and the superior rectus complex, but a significant difference between the lateral and inferior rectus muscle. CONCLUSION: In these patients, all medial rectus muscles were easy measurable by ultrasound, and the thickness thus determined was not different from that determined by CT. Orbital ultrasound is thus a useful method for diagnosis and follow-up in patients with thyroid ophthalmopathy in whom the medial rectus mus-cle is thickened.
Diagnosis ; Eyelids ; Follow-Up Studies ; Healthy Volunteers ; Humans ; Muscles* ; Orbit ; Thyroid Gland ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Ultrasonics* ; Ultrasonography

PURPOSE: To compare the usefulness of orbital ultrasound measurements of extraocular muscle thickness with that of CT measurements in patients with thyroid ophthalmopathy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fourteen patients with thyroid ophthalmopathy underwent orbital ultrasound and CT scanning, and 19 normal volunteers underwent ultrasound. For orbital ultrasound, a 5-10 MHz small part probe was applied to bilateral closed eyelids. The medial and lateral rectus muscles were measured on transverse scan, and the superior rectus complex and inferior rectus muscles on longitudinal scan. On orbital CT, the medial and lateral rectus muscles were measured on axial scan, and the superior rectus complex and inferior rectus muscle on coronal scan. The maximum thickness of the belly of each muscle was measured on both ultrasound and CT. The ultrasound detection rates for each measurable muscle were assessed in both the thyroid ophthalmopathy and normal control group, and the statistical significance of the thickness of extraocular muscles measured by ultrasound and CT was evalvated. RESULTS: In patients with thyroid ophthalmopathy and in the normal control group, all medial and lateral rec-tus muscles were successfully measured by ultrasound. The detection rate for the superior rectus complex was 60.7 % in the thyroid ophthalmopathy group and 63.1% in the normal control group, and for the inferior rectus muscle, 78.6% and 39.5% in the two respective groups. A comparison of measurements of the thickness of extraocular muscle using orbital ultrasound and CT showed no statistically significant difference between the medial rectus muscle and the superior rectus complex, but a significant difference between the lateral and inferior rectus muscle. CONCLUSION: In these patients, all medial rectus muscles were easy measurable by ultrasound, and the thickness thus determined was not different from that determined by CT. Orbital ultrasound is thus a useful method for diagnosis and follow-up in patients with thyroid ophthalmopathy in whom the medial rectus mus-cle is thickened.
Diagnosis ; Eyelids ; Follow-Up Studies ; Healthy Volunteers ; Humans ; Muscles* ; Orbit ; Thyroid Gland ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Ultrasonics* ; Ultrasonography

OBJECTIVES: Bioterrorism (BT) preparedness and response plans are particularly important among healthcare workers who will be among the first involved in the outbreak situations. This study was conducted to evaluate the current status of education for BT preparedness and response in healthcare-related colleges/junior colleges and to develop learning objectives for use in their regular curricula. METHODS: We surveyed all medical colleges/schools, colleges/junior colleges that train nurses, emergency medical technicians or clinical pathologists, and 10% (randomly selected) of them that train general hygienists in Korea. The survey was conducted via mail from March to July of 2007. We surveyed 35 experts to determine if there was a consensus of learning objectives among healthcare workers. RESULTS: Only 31.3% of medical colleges/schools and 13.3% of nursing colleges/junior colleges had education programs that included BT preparedness and responses in their curricula. The most common reason given for the lack of BT educational programs was 'There is not much need for education regarding BT preparedness and response in Korea'. None of the colleges/junior colleges that train clinical pathologists, or general hygienists had an education program for BT response. After evaluating the expert opinions, we developed individual learning objectives designed specifically for educational institutions. CONCLUSIONS: There were only a few colleges/junior colleges that enforce the requirement to provide education for BT preparedness and response in curricula. It is necessary to raise the perception of BT preparedness and response to induce the schools to provide such programs.
*Bioterrorism ; Curriculum ; Disaster Planning/*organization & administration ; Humans ; Korea ; Schools, Health Occupations/*organization & administration

This study aimed to investigate whether the demographic variable-adjustment and supplementation of Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB) score can improve the screening ability of Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) for dementia and its subtypes. Five hundred forty-one non-demented comparison (NC) and 474 dementia (320 Alzheimer's disease [AD]; 139 non-Alzheimer's disease dementia [NAD]; and 15 mixed AD-NAD dementia) individuals living in the community were included. Education-adjusted MMSE (MMSE-edu) score showed significantly better screening accuracy for overall dementia, AD, and NAD than MMSE raw score. FAB-supplemented MMSE (MMSE-FAB) score had significantly better screening ability for NAD, but not for overall dementia and AD, than MMSE raw score alone. Additional supplementation of FAB to MMSE-edu further increased the ability for overall dementia or NAD screening, but not for AD screening. Further education adjustment of MMSE-FAB also improved its ability for overall dementia, AD, and NAD screening. These results strongly support the usefulness of education-adjustment and supplementation of frontal function assessment to improve screening performance of MMSE for dementia and its subtypes, NAD in particular.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Alzheimer Disease/complications/diagnosis ; Area Under Curve ; Dementia/complications/*diagnosis ; Demography ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neuropsychological Tests ; ROC Curve

OBJECTIVE: This paper was designed to develope a group program for the families of stroke patients and examined the effects of the program on mental health, stress coping, and social support of the family caregivers. METHOD: The subjects of this study were 28 family members of stroke patients who had participated in group education program. The program was composed of eight sessions. The aim of this study was to increase understanding of the nature of stroke and treatment procedures, and to enhance family caregivers' ability to take care of patients, and to reduce family caregivers' burden. The program team members included social workers, medical doctors, and nutritionists. The data was analyzed using Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test. RESULTS: There were significant differences in all three areas between pre and post groups (p<0.001). It means the program will help the participants improve mental health state, enhance stress coping skills and improve the perception of social support. CONCLUSION: A formalized group education program is an important resource in helping family members understand the stroke and their ability to cope with the rehabilitation process. Since family members provide a critical role in the long-term rehabilitation, family group education should be an essential part in the rehabilitation program.
Adaptation, Psychological ; Caregivers ; Education* ; Humans ; Mental Health ; Nutritionists ; Rehabilitation ; Social Workers ; Stroke*

The landscape of mental health services in Korea has evolved due to changes in the payment system. Despite the increasing societal focus on mental health, challenges persist. In 2021, 3622695 patients received treatment for mental and behavioral disorders, but decreasing bed numbers in general hospitals and a shortage of psychiatry specialists posed significant hurdles. Although reimbursements for psychiatry remain modest compared to other medical fields, the proportion of expenses allocated to psychotherapy is rising steadily, indicating a growing demand for mental health services. The Korean psychiatric hospitalization system faces a critical juncture. Inadequate reimbursement rates have led to a reduction in the number of beds in general hospitals, compromising acute psychiatric care. Psychiatric hospitals also suffer from low reimbursements, resulting in substandard care environments. These issues exacerbate the societal challenge of acute mental illness and psychiatric emergencies. Despite the recent regulatory efforts, including facility standards, the underlying problem of a discriminatory payment system persists, disproportionately affecting those with medically insured mental illnesses. Although some positive systemic changes have occurred, establishing an effective acute care system for mental illness remains a distant goal. Additional measures are essential to address the disparities and inadequacies within the current mental health payment system and ensure equitable access to quality care for all individuals with mental health needs.