OBJECTIVES: Recently, there are many studies that highlights the importance of the systolic blood pressure and pulse pressure as a better prognostic factor than diastolic blood pressure especially in older persons. In this study, we investigated the prevalence of isolated systolic hypertension in the elderly aged more than 60 years old who visit to hospital for routine health exam. METHODS: This study was done in one university hospital in a mid-sized city in Kyungki-provine of Korea, during one year from Feb. 1st, 2005. The study participants were people aged 60-yr-old or over who came to hospital for taking routine health examination offered by Korea's national health insurance corporation. We investigated the proportion of the isolated systolic hypertension among untreated hypertension by double-checked blood pressure. Besides we got information about eating habits, drinking and smoking status, exercise and stress, fasting blood glucose, serum total cholesterol, proteinuria and hematuria by standardized questionnaire and blood and unine test. RESULTS: The total number of participants were 2,480. Among them, 1,181 persons (47.6%) were males, 1,299 persons females (52.4%). 1,706 persons (68.8%) were in their sixties, 774 persons (31.2%) in their seventies or more. In males, 494 (41.8% of total males) had hypertension. Among 211 males with untreated hypertension, 109 (51.7%) had isolated systolic hypertension (ISH). In females, 551 (42.4% of total temales) had hypertension. Among 201 females with untreated hypertension, 132 (65.7%) had ISH. In male, body mass in dex (BMI), fasting blood gulcose and total cholesterol were significantly associated with ISH. In female BMI, age, drinking status were significant. In female, drinking status was a protective factor. CONCLUSIONS: In Korea older people aged 60 or more, isolated systolic hypertension is occupying most part of hypertension. As Korea is entering into a rapidly aging society, from now on, older persons with isolated systolic hypertension is expected to increase rapidly. In the future, The more studies and more active treatment for isolated systolic hypertension is to be required.
Aged ; Aging ; Blood Glucose ; Blood Pressure ; Cholesterol ; Drinking ; Eating ; Fasting ; Female ; Hematuria ; Humans ; Hypertension* ; Korea* ; Male ; Middle Aged ; National Health Programs ; Prevalence* ; Proteinuria ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Risk Factors ; Smoke ; Smoking

No abstract available.
Fallopian Tubes* ; Female ; Infertility* ; Spermatozoa*

OBJECTIVE: In the pediatric population the skull has not yet undergone ossification and it is assumed that the diagnostic rate of skull fractures by simple X-rays are lower than that of adults. It has been recently proposed that the diagnostic rates of skull fractures by 3-dimensional computer tomography (3D-CT) are higher than simple X-rays. The authors therefore attempted to compare the diagnostic rates of pediatric skull fractures by simple X-rays and 3D-CTs with respect to the type of fracture. METHODS: One-hundred patients aged less than 12 years who visited the Emergency Center for cranial injury were subject to simple X-rays and 3D-CTs. The type and location of the fractures were compared and Kappa statistical analysis and the t-test were conducted. RESULTS: Among the 100 pediatric patients, 65 were male and 35 were female. The mean age was 50+/-45 months. 63 patients had simple skull fractures and 22 had complex fractures, and the types of fractures were linear fractures in 74, diastatic fractures 15, depressed fractures in 10, penetrating fracture in 1, and greenstick fractures in 3 patients. Statistical difference was observed for the predictive value of simple skull fractures' diagnostic rate depending on the method for diagnosis. A significant difference of the Kappa value was noted in the diagnosis of depressed skull fractures and diastatic skull fractures. CONCLUSION: In the majority of pediatric skull fractures, 3D-CT showed superior diagnosis rates compared to simple skull X-rays and therefore 3D-CT is recommended whenever skull fractures are suspected. This is especially true for depressed skull fractures and diastatic skull fractures.
Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Emergencies ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Skull ; Skull Fracture, Depressed ; Skull Fractures

PURPOSE: This study was done to identify whether the program, improving adjustment to military life would have an effect on stress, depression, idea of suicide, adjustment to military living, and self-esteem in auxiliary police. METHOD: This quazi experimental study using a non-equivalent control group pretest and posttest design was conducted from February 1 to May 30, 2007. Using convenience sampling, the researcher recruited 120 auxiliary police and randomly assigned each to either the experimental and the control group. The experimental group received an 8-week program to improve adjustment to military life. RESULTS: Anxiety, stress, depression, idea of suicide, self-esteem, and adjustment to military living were significantly different between the experimental and control groups. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that programs to improve adjustment to military life would improve psychological health and adaptation of military living in auxiliary police. Replication studies are needed to confirm the effects of this program and to identify the long-term maintenance effects of the program.
Anxiety ; Depression ; Humans ; Military Personnel ; Police ; Social Adjustment ; Suicide

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the degree and relationship between self-esteem, depression, and suicidal ideation of youths in the auxiliary police force. METHOD: This descriptive study was conducted using a structured questionnaire from February 1 to March 25, 2007. The participants were 180 youths from 19 to 25 years old (average 20.82 years old) who were auxiliary policemen. The data were analyzed using the SPSS Win 12.0 program. RESULTS: Six of the auxiliary police (3.34%) reported critical scores in suicidal ideation. There was a significant difference in depression according to work area. Self-esteem showed a significant negative correlation with depression (r=-0.38, p<.001) and suicidal ideation (r=-0.39, p<.001). There was a positive correlation between depression and suicidal ideation(r=0.53, p<.001). CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that auxiliary policemen have higher levels of depression and suicidal ideation. Therefore, further study is needed to develop and examine nursing interventions the enhance self-esteem, so that depression and suicidal ideation can be minimized.
Adolescent ; Depression ; Humans ; Police ; Questionnaires ; Suicidal Ideation ; Suicide

Heterotopic brain tissue usually involves extracranial midline structures of the head and neck such as nose, nasopharynx, and oral cavity. Its occurrence in the non-midline structures, including middle ear, is rare. We described a 50-yr-old-man with heterotopic glial tissue in the middle ear and mastoid bone. The patient presented with progressive hearing loss for 8 yr. There was no history of congenital anomalies, trauma, or ear surgery. Computed tomography revealed a mass-like lesion with soft tissue density occupying the middle ear cavity and mastoid antrum. At the operation, a graywhite fibrotic mass was detected in the epitympanic area. Mesotympanum and ossicles were intact. The patient underwent left simple mastoidectomy with type I tympanoplasty. During operation, definite cranial bone defect or cerebrospinal fluid leakage was not found. Histologically, the lesion was composed of exclusively mature, disorganized glial tissue with fibrovascular elements in a rather loose fibrillary background. Glial tissue showed diffuse positive reaction for glial fibrillar acidic protein and S100 protein on immunohistochemical study.
Audiometry ; Brain/pathology ; Brain Diseases/*pathology ; Choristoma/*diagnosis ; Ear, Middle/*pathology ; Human ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Mastoid/*pathology/surgery ; Middle Aged ; Neuroglia/*pathology ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: We compared improvements in hearing thresholds in acute low-tone sensorineural hearing loss (ALHL) patients after two different treatments: steroid alone and steroid and diuretic combined. We analyzed how the duration between the onset of symptoms and the initiation of treatment affected hearing loss improvement and investigated the relation between presence of vertigo in ALHL patients and ALHL progression to Ménière's disease (MD). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 47 ALHL patients aged 21 to 76 years. Patients received either orally administered steroid alone (n=12) or steroid and diuretic combined (n=35). We compared improvements in the two groups' hearing thresholds at three lower frequencies (125, 250, and 500 Hz) after participants had received one month of each respective treatment. RESULTS: Our two treatments did not show any statistical difference in hearing loss improvement after one month. Forty percent of ALHL patients with vertigo developed MD, which was a significantly higher rate than the 12.5% of ALHL patients without vertigo who developed MD. The shorter duration between the onset of symptoms and the initiation of treatment significantly increased improvement in the sum of lower frequency hearing threshold after one month. CONCLUSIONS: The current study suggests that steroid and diuretic administered together and steroid alone similarly improve the hearing threshold in ALHL patients after one month. We concluded that patients should initiate ALHL treatment as soon as they experience symptoms. ALHL patients should also be notified of their higher risk of developing MD.
Hearing ; Hearing Loss ; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural* ; Humans ; Medical Records ; Meniere Disease ; Retrospective Studies ; Vertigo

Sensory neuronopathy (sensory ganglionitis), believed to be caused by an autoimmune attack against the dorsal root ganglia, has been recently linked with antiganglioside antibodies (anti-GD 1b). We present a case of idiopathic sensory neuronopathy with a positive anti-GD 1b IgG. The patient showed functional improvement with the use of gabapentin and immediately showed a resumption of symptoms when its use was stopped. Currently there is no proven therapy for sensory neuronopathy and the effect of immunosuppressive and intra venous immunoglobulin has been reported with mixed results. Also, there has been no research yet on the use and effect of gabapentin in sensory neuronopathy. This case shows that gabapentin alleviated neuropathic pain and tingling sensation in sensory neuronopathy. The authors believe that gabapentin modulated the voltage dependent calcium channels in the dorsal root ganglion and that this led to overall clinical and functional improvement. The curative or relieving effect of gabapentin in sensory neuronopathy still needs more research in the future.
Antibodies ; Calcium Channels ; Ganglia, Spinal ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; Immunoglobulins ; Neuralgia ; Sensation

Crohn's disease (CD) is a chronic, progressive, and disabling inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) with an uncertain etiopathogenesis. CD can involve any site of the gastrointestinal tract from the mouth to the anus, and is associated with serious complications, such as bowel strictures, perforations, and fistula formation. The incidence and prevalence rates of CD in Korea are still lower compared with those in Western countries, but they have been rapidly increasing during the recent decades. Although there are no definitive curative modalities for CD, various medical and surgical therapies have been applied for the treatment of this disease. Concerning CD management, there have been substantial discrepancies among clinicians according to their personal experience and preference. To suggest recommendable approaches to the diverse problems of CD and to minimize the variations in treatment among physicians, guidelines for the management of CD were first published in 2012 by the IBD Study Group of the Korean Association for the Study of Intestinal Diseases. These are the revised guidelines based on updated evidence, accumulated since 2012. These guidelines were developed by using mainly adaptation methods, and encompass induction and maintenance treatment of CD, treatment based on disease location, treatment of CD complications, including stricture and fistula, surgical treatment, and prevention of postoperative recurrence. These are the second Korean guidelines for the management of CD and will be continuously revised as new evidence is collected.
Anal Canal ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Crohn Disease* ; Fistula ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Humans ; Incidence ; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases ; Intestinal Diseases ; Korea ; Mouth ; Prevalence ; Recurrence

Crohn's disease (CD) is a chronic, progressive, and disabling inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) with an uncertain etiopathogenesis. CD can involve any site of the gastrointestinal tract from the mouth to the anus, and is associated with serious complications, such as bowel strictures, perforations, and fistula formation. The incidence and prevalence rates of CD in Korea are still lower compared with those in Western countries, but they have been rapidly increasing during the recent decades. Although there are no definitive curative modalities for CD, various medical and surgical therapies have been applied for the treatment of this disease. Concerning CD management, there have been substantial discrepancies among clinicians according to their personal experience and preference. To suggest recommendable approaches to the diverse problems of CD and to minimize the variations in treatment among physicians, guidelines for the management of CD were first published in 2012 by the IBD Study Group of the Korean Association for the Study of the Intestinal Diseases. These are the revised guidelines based on updated evidence, accumulated since 2012. These guidelines were developed by using mainly adaptation methods, and encompass induction and maintenance treatment of CD, treatment based on disease location, treatment of CD complications, including stricture and fistula, surgical treatment, and prevention of postoperative recurrence. These are the second Korean guidelines for the management of CD and will be continuously revised as new evidence is collected.
Anal Canal ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Crohn Disease* ; Fistula ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Humans ; Incidence ; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases ; Intestinal Diseases ; Korea ; Mouth ; Prevalence ; Recurrence