Lung cancer is one of the most common types of malignancy in western nations with serious health problem, and it has become the leading cause of cancer death of males, second only to stomach cancer, in Korea. A review of the histopathology of 1363 cases (1231 patients) of lung carcinoma, diagnosed at the Keimyung University Medical center from 1987 to 1996, was performed to reclassify the type of carcinomas and to investigate the change in the distribution of histologic types of lung carcinoma according to age, sex and year. Among the 1363 cases, 132 patients underwent a surgical operation after biopsy. The diagnosis of each case was proven by histopathologic analysis of surgical specimens (13.2%) and biopsy materials (86.8%). The histologic types in our study were basically based on modified WHO classification (1982) and on new WHO classification (1999). The classification of small cell carcinoma was based on International Association for the Small Cell Lung Cancer (IASLC, 1988). Of the 1231 patients with lung carcinoma, 1012 were male and 219 were female (male to female ratio was 3.6:1). According to the analysis of age distribution, the most prevalent age group was 60~69 years in both sex as (n=516, 42.0%). Changing trends in sex distribution of lung carcinoma patients showed that the proportion of men had decreased throughout the years, whereas the proportion of women had significantly increased. Histologically, squamous cell carcinoma was the most common (n=624, 50.7%), followed by small cell carcinoma (21.1%), adenocarcinoma (18.1%), large cell undifferentiated carcinoma (2.1%), adenosquamous carcinoma (0.4%), and large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (0.4%), in order of frequency. In men, squamous cell carcinoma was the most frequent type (55.1%). In women, adenocarcinoma was the most frequent type (39.7%). In both sexes, adenocarcinoma was the most common type in patients under the age of 40 (n=12, 41.4%), while squamous cell carcinoma proved the most frequent type in patients over the age of 40 (n=617, 51.3%). Changing trends of histologic types of lung cancer showed that the incidences of squamous cell carcinoma had significantly decreased throughout the years, whereas those of adenocarcinoma and small cell carcinoma had increased. In conclusion, the results showing increases in the percentage of female patients and in the number of cases of adenocarcinoma were noteworthy, and well correlated with other related reports.
Academic Medical Centers ; Adenocarcinoma ; Age Distribution ; Biopsy ; Carcinoma ; Carcinoma, Adenosquamous ; Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine ; Carcinoma, Small Cell ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Classification ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; Lung Neoplasms ; Lung* ; Male ; Sex Distribution ; Small Cell Lung Carcinoma ; Stomach Neoplasms

Traumatic dislocation of the hip presents serious problems that may lead to avascular necrosis, nerve palsy, post-traumatic arthritis even when reduction is promptly and adequately carried out. Among them avascular necrosis is the most important prognostic factor, so the early detection of this complication has critical significance for final result. Bone scan has been considered one of early diagnostic test, but recently MRI replaced its role for imaging in the detection of early AVN, treatment monitoring and prediction of prognosis. Authors prospectively studied the early finding of MRI to detect avascular necrosis of the femoral head and to predict prognosis in traumatic hip dislocation and fracture-dislocation. From December 1990 to November 1994, 12 case of dislocation and fracture-dislocation of the hip were studied . In follow up period ranging from 19 months to 65 months, 10 case had excellent or good result. All cases had abnormal MRI finding such as paraarticular edema, capsular bulging, joint effusion, femoral head fracture, but findings such as femoral head signal changes were dectected in only 3 cases. Among the 3 cases, 1 case had developed AVN and 2 cases were uneventful. Other complications were 3 cases of posttraumatic arthritis, 2 cases of incomplete sciatic nerve palsy, and 1 case of heterotrophic ossification. Although early MRI finding at posttrauma 2weeks gave less specific information, it could give good information for risk group and follow up control with more cases. Although it is expensive, MRI can be one of the most reliable reference in early diagnosis of AVN and prediction of prognosis in traumatic dislocation and fracture- dislocation of the hip with non-invasive method.
Arthritis ; Diagnostic Tests, Routine ; Dislocations ; Early Diagnosis ; Edema ; Follow-Up Studies ; Head* ; Hip Dislocation* ; Hip Joint ; Hip* ; Joints ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Necrosis ; Paralysis ; Prognosis ; Prospective Studies ; Sciatic Neuropathy

PURPOSE: To evaluate the change in multifocal visual evoked potential (mfVEP) in unilateral anisometropic amblyopia before and after occlusion treatment. METHODS: The mfVEP was performed using RETIscan(R) (Roland,Brandenburg, Germany) for patients with unilateral anisometropic amblyopia before and after occlusion treatment. Amplitude and latency values of mfVEP were analyzed according to the field divided by 6 rings or 4 sectors. RESULTS: The each amplitude of values of all 6 rings were not significantly different before treatment (p = 0.077) in amblyopic eyes. However, the value of ring 1 (p = 0.00) was significantly higher than the value of other rings after treatment. In fellow eyes, the values of ring 1 was consistently significantly higher than the value of other rings before (p = 0.014) and after (p = 0.049) occlusion treatment. Additionally, the amplitudes of ring 1 (p = 0.005) and ring 3 (p = 0.007) were significantly increased in amblyopic eyes after occlusion treatment. In fellow eyes, the values of all rings did not change significantly. The analysis of amplitudes with 4 sectors revealed no significant result. The analysis of latencies with 6 rings and 4 sectors revealed no significant result. CONCLUSIONS: The change in amplitude on the central field (ring 1) in amblyopic eyes can be a useful objective monitoring method observing the improvement progress in visual acuity.
Amblyopia ; Evoked Potentials, Visual ; Eye ; Humans ; Visual Acuity

PURPOSE: To evaluate the change in multifocal visual evoked potential (mfVEP) in unilateral anisometropic amblyopia before and after occlusion treatment. METHODS: The mfVEP was performed using RETIscan(R) (Roland,Brandenburg, Germany) for patients with unilateral anisometropic amblyopia before and after occlusion treatment. Amplitude and latency values of mfVEP were analyzed according to the field divided by 6 rings or 4 sectors. RESULTS: The each amplitude of values of all 6 rings were not significantly different before treatment (p = 0.077) in amblyopic eyes. However, the value of ring 1 (p = 0.00) was significantly higher than the value of other rings after treatment. In fellow eyes, the values of ring 1 was consistently significantly higher than the value of other rings before (p = 0.014) and after (p = 0.049) occlusion treatment. Additionally, the amplitudes of ring 1 (p = 0.005) and ring 3 (p = 0.007) were significantly increased in amblyopic eyes after occlusion treatment. In fellow eyes, the values of all rings did not change significantly. The analysis of amplitudes with 4 sectors revealed no significant result. The analysis of latencies with 6 rings and 4 sectors revealed no significant result. CONCLUSIONS: The change in amplitude on the central field (ring 1) in amblyopic eyes can be a useful objective monitoring method observing the improvement progress in visual acuity.
Amblyopia ; Evoked Potentials, Visual ; Eye ; Humans ; Visual Acuity

Although most of the known pathogenic mutations in the progranulin gene (PGRN) are null mutations leading to a reduction in the serum PGRN protein levels, missense mutations also have been identifi ed in patients with frontotemporal lobar degeneration and in patients with Alzheimer disease. Among these, p.R564C mutation was identifi ed in a late-onset AD patient with a reduced serum PGRN level. However, recently, we found the p.R564C mutation in a healthy control subject raising doubts whether this is a pathogenic mutation. In this report, we measured the serum PGRN levels in 20 subjects without the p.R564C mutation and in one subject with the p.R564C mutation, to determine whether the p.R564C mutation is associated with reduced serum PGRN levels. We found that the serum PGRN level in the subject with the p.R564C mutation was not reduced compared to the subjects without the p.R564C mutation. Our result reiterates that p.R564C may not be a pathogenic mutation.

Purpose: Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) are associated with considerable mortality. This study was aimed to identify survival factors among medical care unit patients with CPE. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort; data were collected from September 2017 to June 2019 through electronic medical records. The data collected were general characteristics, disease-related characteristics, severity-related characteristics, and treatment-related characteristics. Data were analyzed based on frequency, mean, standard deviation, Chi-square test, Fisher’s exact test, t-test, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and Cox proportional hazard model using SPSS/WIN 21.0 program. Results: Seventy-seven patients were included (59 survivors and 18 deceased) in the study. Univariate analysis identified factors for survival associated with acquired CPE as age (t= -1.56, p= .037), simplified acute physiology 3 (SAPS3) score of admission date (t= -2.85, p= .006), Glasgow coma scale (GCS) of CPE acquisition date (t= 2.38, p= .020), artery catheter at CPE acquisition date (χ2 = 4.58, p= .032), vasoconstrictor agents use at CPE acquisition date (χ2 = 6.81, p= .009), platelet at CPE acquisition date (t= 2.27, p= .025), lymphocyte at CPE acquisition date (t= 2.01, p= .048), calcium at CPE acquisition date (t= 2.68, p= .009), albumin at CPE acquisition date (t= 2.29,p= .025), and creatinine at CPE acquisition date (t= 2.24, p= .028). Multivariate Cox proportional hazard model showed that GCS at CPE acquisition date (HR= 1.14, 95% CI= 1.05-1.22), lymphocyte at CPE acquisition date (HR= 1.05, 95% CI= 1.00-1.10), and creatinine at CPE acquisition date (HR= 1.25, 95% CI= 1.04-1.49) were independent survival factors among medical intensive care unit patients with CPE. Conclusion Based on the study results, it is necessary to develop nursing interventions that can aid in the management of patients with CPE and identify their effects.

Objectives: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common clinical disease which has been associated with cardiovascular disease and sudden death. Positive airway pressure (PAP) is the most effective treatment for OSA; however, most patients experience difficulties in tolerating machines, masks, or economic burdens. In Korea, National Health Insurance (NHI) application for PAP started in July 2018. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the PAP adherence and factors contributing to good adherence after NHI coverage in Korea. Methods: A retrospective study was performed to examine 89 patients with OSA who were treated with PAP in 2019. All medical records were analyzed to obtain demographic and clinical data, including personal history, polysomnographic data, and PAP results. Results: A total of 66 participants were included, of which 56 (84.8%) were maintained on PAP therapy after 3 months, and 32 of 42 (76.1%) were maintained on PAP therapy after 6 months; prolonged rapid eye movement (REM) sleep latency, increased nonREM (NREM) apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), and supine AHI significantly contributed to good PAP adherence for 3 months. At 6 months, prolonged REM sleep latency, increased NREM AHI, supine AHI, and increased arousal index significantly contributed to good PAP adherence. However, comorbid hypertension contributed to poor PAP compliance. Conclusions PAP adherence in patients with OSA was 84.8% after 3 months, and 76.1% after 6 months after NHI coverage in a regional tertiary sleep center in Korea. Prolonged REM sleep latency and increased supine AHI and NREM AHI significantly contributed to good adherence, whereas comorbid hypertension was a factor for poor PAP compliance.

Objectives: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common clinical disease which has been associated with cardiovascular disease and sudden death. Positive airway pressure (PAP) is the most effective treatment for OSA; however, most patients experience difficulties in tolerating machines, masks, or economic burdens. In Korea, National Health Insurance (NHI) application for PAP started in July 2018. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the PAP adherence and factors contributing to good adherence after NHI coverage in Korea. Methods: A retrospective study was performed to examine 89 patients with OSA who were treated with PAP in 2019. All medical records were analyzed to obtain demographic and clinical data, including personal history, polysomnographic data, and PAP results. Results: A total of 66 participants were included, of which 56 (84.8%) were maintained on PAP therapy after 3 months, and 32 of 42 (76.1%) were maintained on PAP therapy after 6 months; prolonged rapid eye movement (REM) sleep latency, increased nonREM (NREM) apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), and supine AHI significantly contributed to good PAP adherence for 3 months. At 6 months, prolonged REM sleep latency, increased NREM AHI, supine AHI, and increased arousal index significantly contributed to good PAP adherence. However, comorbid hypertension contributed to poor PAP compliance. Conclusions PAP adherence in patients with OSA was 84.8% after 3 months, and 76.1% after 6 months after NHI coverage in a regional tertiary sleep center in Korea. Prolonged REM sleep latency and increased supine AHI and NREM AHI significantly contributed to good adherence, whereas comorbid hypertension was a factor for poor PAP compliance.

Objective: People vaccinated with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 [SARS-CoV-2]) mRNA vaccine have reported experiencing various adverse effects. For instance, reproductive-age women have presented with complaints of abnormal uterine bleeding or menstrual cycle changes. We speculated that differences in basal sex hormone levels before and after vaccination may be present in women who experienced irregular bleeding or menstrual cycle changes; thus, this study aimed to investigate the differences in basal sex hormone levels of women before and after two doses of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination. Methods: This retrospective study included patients who received SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines between January 2021 and February 2022 at a single center. In an outpatient setting, patients were queried regarding their menstrual cycle, the date of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination, vaccination type, and vaccination side effects. Differences in basal hormone levels (menstrual cycle days 2–3, follicle-stimulating hormone [FSH], luteinizing hormone [LH], and estradiol) before and after vaccination were compared. Results: Among the 326 patients, patients with no laboratory records of the hormones were excluded. The median time interval between SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination and the laboratory test day was 79 days (interquartile range, 44 to 127). A comparative analysis of these hormones before and after vaccination revealed no significant differences. Subgroup analyses based on age and reported adverse events also found no statistically significant differences. Conclusion This study showed no significant differences in basal hormone levels (FSH, LH, and estradiol) before and after SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination.

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to analyze the current state and tendency of oral health inequality in 12-year-old Korean children by calculating the Gini coefficient from decayed, missing, or filled teeth (DMFT) data. METHODS: Ten-year trends were empirically estimated by calculating the Gini coefficient from the Lorenz curve plotted based on the DMFT data of 12-year-old children, obtained from the Korean National Oral Health Survey from 2000 to 2010. RESULTS: While the oral health improved in general, oral health inequalities increased with the decrease in the number of DMFT each year, and the DMFT-based Gini coefficient increased from 0.53 in 2000 to 0.61 in 2010. The increase in the number of decayed and missing teeth was strongly affected by the increase in oral health inequality. CONCLUSIONS: To resolve Korea's continually increasing oral health inequality, it is necessary to establish support measures for vulnerable populations and to develop and manage a surveillance system for continuous monitoring of oral health inequality in the future.
Child ; Humans ; Oral Health ; Socioeconomic Factors ; Tooth ; Vulnerable Populations