PURPOSE: To estimate the prevalence of acute appendicitis and the relationship between pregnancy and acute appendicitis among South Korean women in 2009. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study over 1 year period using a national registry data. We analyzed a national patient sample (n = 1,116,040) from a database complied by the South Korean National Health Insurance in 2009. RESULTS: We identified 15,974 cases of acute appendicitis from 2009. The prevalence rate of acute appendicitis was 228 +/- 2 per 100,000 persons. The prevalence in men was higher than in women. The peak prevalence of the disease in both genders occurred in patients aged 10 to 14 years. After that, prevalence declined with age. The prevalence of acute appendicitis in women aged 20 to 39 years was negatively associated with age and pregnancy (P < 0.001) but was not associated with socioeconomic status. The prevalence of perforated appendicitis cases by age is represented by a U-shaped curve. The prevalence was highest in people less than five years of age and in people older than 60 years. CONCLUSION: We found that the prevalence of acute appendicitis decreased with increasing age after early teens, and that the prevalence of acute appendicitis in pregnant women was lower than in nonpregnant women.
Adolescent ; Aged ; Aging ; Appendicitis ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; National Health Programs ; Pregnancy ; Pregnant Women ; Prevalence ; Social Class

Objective: To analyze the relationship between pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and menopausal hormone therapy (MHT). Methods: This retrospective cohort study used Korean National Health checkup and insurance data from 2002 to 2019. Women who used MHT for more than 6 months between 2002 and 2011 were included in the MHT group; postmenopausal women with no MHT use comprised the non-MHT group. Results: In the non-MHT group, there were 1,001,350 women, while the MHT group had 353,206 women. Tibolone (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 0.87; 99% confidence interval [CI], 0.818-0.926) and combined estrogen plus progestin by the manufacturer (CEPM) (aHR, 0.821; 99% CI, 0.758-0.89) were associated with reduced POP risk. The other oral MHT groups and the transdermal estrogen group showed no significant difference in POP risk compared with the non-MHT group (other oral MHT: aHR, 1.045; 99% CI, 0.941-1.161) (transdermal estrogen: aHR, 1.252; 99% CI, 0.731-2.145). Lower body mass index (BMI) (<18.5) was associated with reduced POP risk (aHR, 0.822; 99% CI, 0.698-0.968), while a BMI between 23 and 29.9 was associated with increased risk (BMI 23-24.9: aHR, 1.143; 99% CI, 1.088-1.2) (BMI 25-29.9: aHR, 1.173; 99% CI, 1.12-1.228). All parities had a higher POP risk than parity 1 (parity 0 or no response: aHR, 1.785; 99% CI, 1.589-2.005; parity 2: aHR, 1.434; 99% CI, 1.292-1.592; parity ≥3: aHR, 1.916; 99% CI, 1.712-2.144). Conclusion Tibolone and CEPM use were associated with reduced POP risk in postmenopausal women. Other MHT types showed no significant association with POP.

Objective: To analyze the relationship between pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and menopausal hormone therapy (MHT). Methods: This retrospective cohort study used Korean National Health checkup and insurance data from 2002 to 2019. Women who used MHT for more than 6 months between 2002 and 2011 were included in the MHT group; postmenopausal women with no MHT use comprised the non-MHT group. Results: In the non-MHT group, there were 1,001,350 women, while the MHT group had 353,206 women. Tibolone (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 0.87; 99% confidence interval [CI], 0.818-0.926) and combined estrogen plus progestin by the manufacturer (CEPM) (aHR, 0.821; 99% CI, 0.758-0.89) were associated with reduced POP risk. The other oral MHT groups and the transdermal estrogen group showed no significant difference in POP risk compared with the non-MHT group (other oral MHT: aHR, 1.045; 99% CI, 0.941-1.161) (transdermal estrogen: aHR, 1.252; 99% CI, 0.731-2.145). Lower body mass index (BMI) (<18.5) was associated with reduced POP risk (aHR, 0.822; 99% CI, 0.698-0.968), while a BMI between 23 and 29.9 was associated with increased risk (BMI 23-24.9: aHR, 1.143; 99% CI, 1.088-1.2) (BMI 25-29.9: aHR, 1.173; 99% CI, 1.12-1.228). All parities had a higher POP risk than parity 1 (parity 0 or no response: aHR, 1.785; 99% CI, 1.589-2.005; parity 2: aHR, 1.434; 99% CI, 1.292-1.592; parity ≥3: aHR, 1.916; 99% CI, 1.712-2.144). Conclusion Tibolone and CEPM use were associated with reduced POP risk in postmenopausal women. Other MHT types showed no significant association with POP.

Objective: To analyze the relationship between pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and menopausal hormone therapy (MHT). Methods: This retrospective cohort study used Korean National Health checkup and insurance data from 2002 to 2019. Women who used MHT for more than 6 months between 2002 and 2011 were included in the MHT group; postmenopausal women with no MHT use comprised the non-MHT group. Results: In the non-MHT group, there were 1,001,350 women, while the MHT group had 353,206 women. Tibolone (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 0.87; 99% confidence interval [CI], 0.818-0.926) and combined estrogen plus progestin by the manufacturer (CEPM) (aHR, 0.821; 99% CI, 0.758-0.89) were associated with reduced POP risk. The other oral MHT groups and the transdermal estrogen group showed no significant difference in POP risk compared with the non-MHT group (other oral MHT: aHR, 1.045; 99% CI, 0.941-1.161) (transdermal estrogen: aHR, 1.252; 99% CI, 0.731-2.145). Lower body mass index (BMI) (<18.5) was associated with reduced POP risk (aHR, 0.822; 99% CI, 0.698-0.968), while a BMI between 23 and 29.9 was associated with increased risk (BMI 23-24.9: aHR, 1.143; 99% CI, 1.088-1.2) (BMI 25-29.9: aHR, 1.173; 99% CI, 1.12-1.228). All parities had a higher POP risk than parity 1 (parity 0 or no response: aHR, 1.785; 99% CI, 1.589-2.005; parity 2: aHR, 1.434; 99% CI, 1.292-1.592; parity ≥3: aHR, 1.916; 99% CI, 1.712-2.144). Conclusion Tibolone and CEPM use were associated with reduced POP risk in postmenopausal women. Other MHT types showed no significant association with POP.

Objective: To analyze the relationship between pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and menopausal hormone therapy (MHT). Methods: This retrospective cohort study used Korean National Health checkup and insurance data from 2002 to 2019. Women who used MHT for more than 6 months between 2002 and 2011 were included in the MHT group; postmenopausal women with no MHT use comprised the non-MHT group. Results: In the non-MHT group, there were 1,001,350 women, while the MHT group had 353,206 women. Tibolone (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 0.87; 99% confidence interval [CI], 0.818-0.926) and combined estrogen plus progestin by the manufacturer (CEPM) (aHR, 0.821; 99% CI, 0.758-0.89) were associated with reduced POP risk. The other oral MHT groups and the transdermal estrogen group showed no significant difference in POP risk compared with the non-MHT group (other oral MHT: aHR, 1.045; 99% CI, 0.941-1.161) (transdermal estrogen: aHR, 1.252; 99% CI, 0.731-2.145). Lower body mass index (BMI) (<18.5) was associated with reduced POP risk (aHR, 0.822; 99% CI, 0.698-0.968), while a BMI between 23 and 29.9 was associated with increased risk (BMI 23-24.9: aHR, 1.143; 99% CI, 1.088-1.2) (BMI 25-29.9: aHR, 1.173; 99% CI, 1.12-1.228). All parities had a higher POP risk than parity 1 (parity 0 or no response: aHR, 1.785; 99% CI, 1.589-2.005; parity 2: aHR, 1.434; 99% CI, 1.292-1.592; parity ≥3: aHR, 1.916; 99% CI, 1.712-2.144). Conclusion Tibolone and CEPM use were associated with reduced POP risk in postmenopausal women. Other MHT types showed no significant association with POP.

Objective: To analyze the relationship between pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and menopausal hormone therapy (MHT). Methods: This retrospective cohort study used Korean National Health checkup and insurance data from 2002 to 2019. Women who used MHT for more than 6 months between 2002 and 2011 were included in the MHT group; postmenopausal women with no MHT use comprised the non-MHT group. Results: In the non-MHT group, there were 1,001,350 women, while the MHT group had 353,206 women. Tibolone (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 0.87; 99% confidence interval [CI], 0.818-0.926) and combined estrogen plus progestin by the manufacturer (CEPM) (aHR, 0.821; 99% CI, 0.758-0.89) were associated with reduced POP risk. The other oral MHT groups and the transdermal estrogen group showed no significant difference in POP risk compared with the non-MHT group (other oral MHT: aHR, 1.045; 99% CI, 0.941-1.161) (transdermal estrogen: aHR, 1.252; 99% CI, 0.731-2.145). Lower body mass index (BMI) (<18.5) was associated with reduced POP risk (aHR, 0.822; 99% CI, 0.698-0.968), while a BMI between 23 and 29.9 was associated with increased risk (BMI 23-24.9: aHR, 1.143; 99% CI, 1.088-1.2) (BMI 25-29.9: aHR, 1.173; 99% CI, 1.12-1.228). All parities had a higher POP risk than parity 1 (parity 0 or no response: aHR, 1.785; 99% CI, 1.589-2.005; parity 2: aHR, 1.434; 99% CI, 1.292-1.592; parity ≥3: aHR, 1.916; 99% CI, 1.712-2.144). Conclusion Tibolone and CEPM use were associated with reduced POP risk in postmenopausal women. Other MHT types showed no significant association with POP.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to report outcomes of apical and posterior pelvic organ prolapse repair using posterior transvaginal mesh kit. METHODS: Thirty four consecutive patients with apical or posterior pelvic organ prolapse over pelvic organ prolapse quantification (POP-Q) stage 2 were repaired by posterior transvaginal mesh kit at the Korea University Guro Hospital between July 2007 and June 2011. Postoperative follow-up visits were scheduled at 1, 6 months after surgery, with question about side effects and POP-Q exam. RESULTS: Thirty four consecutive patients who underwent posterior transvaginal mesh kit had completed 6 month follow up. The demographics are the mean age 65.9+/-8.6 years, the mean body mass index 26.4+/-3.0 kg/m2 and the mean parity 3.6+/-1.5. Overall anatomic cure rates of apical pelvic organ prolapse and rectocele were 91.7%, 92.6%, respectively. The Ap, Bp scores improved significantly after operation (p<0.01). No patient presented healing abnormality. CONCLUSION: Posterior transvaginal mesh kit is effective and safe for treatment of apical and posterior pelvic organ prolapse.
Body Mass Index ; Demography ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Korea ; Parity ; Pelvic Organ Prolapse ; Rectocele

PURPOSE: This study attempted to characterize the muscle derived stem cells isolated from the primary cultured skeletal muscle of the rat gastrocnemius muscle; in addition, we modified the preplate method and then compared this to the original preplate method. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The hind limbs (gastrocnemius muscles) were removed from a 3-6 week olds SD-rat and the bone was dissected away. The muscle mass was finely minced and chopped using razor blades. In an original preplate method, the cells were dissociated using a triple enzyme mixture (collagenase XI, dipase and trypsin) for 1 hour at 37degreesC. The muscle cell extract was preplated on culture flasks as described by Dr. Qu (Qu et al., 1998). The pp1-pp4 cells were referred to as the early plate (EP) cells, and the pp5-pp6 cells were referred to as the late plate (LP) cells. When we modified the preplate method, the pp1-pp2 cells were called the early plate (EP) cells and the pp3-pp4 cells were called to late plate (LP) cells. The phenotypical characteristics of EP and LP cells were compared by immunostaining and FACS. RESULTS: In the original preplate methods, the early plate (EP) cells were mixed with myogenic cells (mostly fibroblasts, <15% desmin + cells) and the LP cells were highly purified muscle derived cells that contain pure myogenic cells (>90% desmin + cells). Yet in the modified preplate method, the muscle derived stem cells were determined to be CD34 (+ or -), CD45- and desmin- cells by immunohistochemical staining and FACS. CONCLUSIONS: In original methods, the LP cells exhibited stem cell properties (CD34+, less than 30%), and they were not from a hematogeous origin (CD45-), but rather, they were from a myogenic origin (desmin+). Yet in the modified preplate method, we purified the LP cells much earlier than the original method. The LP cells displayed CD34+(more than 50%), and CD45-; thus, we isolated more primitive (desmin-) cells.
Animals ; Desmin ; Extremities ; Fibroblasts ; Muscle Cells ; Muscle, Skeletal* ; Rats* ; Stem Cells*

PURPOSE: This study attempted to characterize the muscle derived stem cells isolated from the primary cultured skeletal muscle of the rat gastrocnemius muscle; in addition, we modified the preplate method and then compared this to the original preplate method. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The hind limbs (gastrocnemius muscles) were removed from a 3-6 week olds SD-rat and the bone was dissected away. The muscle mass was finely minced and chopped using razor blades. In an original preplate method, the cells were dissociated using a triple enzyme mixture (collagenase XI, dipase and trypsin) for 1 hour at 37degreesC. The muscle cell extract was preplated on culture flasks as described by Dr. Qu (Qu et al., 1998). The pp1-pp4 cells were referred to as the early plate (EP) cells, and the pp5-pp6 cells were referred to as the late plate (LP) cells. When we modified the preplate method, the pp1-pp2 cells were called the early plate (EP) cells and the pp3-pp4 cells were called to late plate (LP) cells. The phenotypical characteristics of EP and LP cells were compared by immunostaining and FACS. RESULTS: In the original preplate methods, the early plate (EP) cells were mixed with myogenic cells (mostly fibroblasts, <15% desmin + cells) and the LP cells were highly purified muscle derived cells that contain pure myogenic cells (>90% desmin + cells). Yet in the modified preplate method, the muscle derived stem cells were determined to be CD34 (+ or -), CD45- and desmin- cells by immunohistochemical staining and FACS. CONCLUSIONS: In original methods, the LP cells exhibited stem cell properties (CD34+, less than 30%), and they were not from a hematogeous origin (CD45-), but rather, they were from a myogenic origin (desmin+). Yet in the modified preplate method, we purified the LP cells much earlier than the original method. The LP cells displayed CD34+(more than 50%), and CD45-; thus, we isolated more primitive (desmin-) cells.
Animals ; Desmin ; Extremities ; Fibroblasts ; Muscle Cells ; Muscle, Skeletal* ; Rats* ; Stem Cells*