No abstract available.
Evidence-Based Practice* ; Humans

BACKGROUND: Hypertension is one of the frequent problems for which family physicians are well encountered to manage. Nonpharmacologic measures which include stress relaxation, low salt diet, weight reduction, moderation of alcohol intake, physical activity, tobacco avoidance are used as definitive or adjuvant therapy for hypertension. Family physicians should vigorously encourage their patients to adopt these life style modifications. This study was conducted to know how many nonpharmacologic treat,ment modalities are adopted by hypertensives and to find predicting factors. METHODS: A total of 100 of the hypertensive patients who are followed up via the department of family medicine, Hanyang University Hospital, from September 1995 through November 1995 are included in this study. A trained nurse interviewed patients according to the previously designed structured questionnaire. The overall response rate was 90% and the fill-up rate of the questionnaire was 100%. RESULTS: Sixty three patients were women. The mean age was 57.4 years(range, 20 to 84). Sixty one percent accompanied one or more other diseases, of which diabetes mellitus was the most common disorder. The mean systolic pressure was 143.9 mmHg and the mean diastolic blood pressure was 89.3mmHg. Ninty-three percent of patients received antihypertensives with compliance of 81 to 100%. Twenty four percent of patients adhered to regular exercise, 36 percent weight reduction, 48 percent low salt diet, 79 percent moderate drinking, 81 percent stress relaxation, and 87 percent no smoking. Of those six non-pharmacological treatments, 3.6 behaviors were adhered. Male patients were more attended with the low salt diet. Eleven patients of 2S alcoholics(44.0%) reduced their amount of alcohol intake and 8 of 17 smokers quitted smoking (47.1%) after they were diagnosed as hypertension. The mean BEPSI score was 1.5. Fifty one percent of patients had stress within the last three months, 32 percent had cumulative fatigue. The occupational stress was the most common one. All exercise which patients reported were isotonic. Seventeen percent of the patients took certain herb medicine or folk medicine. CONCLUSIONS: Of those 100 hypertensives who were treated at the department of family medicine, Hanyang University hospital, 24% adhered to regular exercise, 36 per cent weight reduction, 48 percent low salt diet, 79 percent moderate drinking, 81 percent stress relaxation, and 87 percent quit smoking in order. Of those six non-pharmacological treatments, 3.6 behaviors were adhered on the average. Nonpharmacologic treatment should be promoted by family physician as an important strategy for treatment of hypertension.
Antihypertensive Agents ; Blood Pressure ; Compliance ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Diet ; Diet, Reducing ; Drinking ; Fatigue ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Life Style ; Male ; Medicine, Traditional ; Motor Activity ; Physicians, Family ; Relaxation ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Tobacco ; Weight Loss ; Surveys and Questionnaires

BACKGROUND: Blood pressures rneasured by a nurse at reception room as a part of routine physical examination are oft,en used as a indicator of medical care. Blood pressure at reception room and consultation room are, however, often different to each other and these differences are caused by various factors including difference of white coat effect by nurse and doctor. Thus, this study was performed in order to know whether blood pressure difference really exit, and its associated factors. METHODS: Two hundred ninety one patients who visited to one university hospital farnily practice were enrolled in this study. Blood pressure and pulse rate at reception room and consultation room, waiting t,ime, time interval between reception and consultation, smoking status, and intake of coffee and food were collected. Nine patients were excluded, because blood pressure either at reception room or at consulation room was not recorded. This study was performed by one nurse and two doctors. They defined the guideline for method of blood pressure measurement before the study, and used the same kind of indirect cuff sphygmomanometer. RESULTS: Two hundred eighty two patients were analyzed. The number of men was one hundred twenty five. Systolic blood pressure at consultation room was higher than that at reception room by 1.6+/-11.9mmHg (P<0.05). Sixty five cases(65%) in systolic blood pressure and 111 cases(40%) in diastolic blood pressure showed blood pressure differences more than 5mmHg. The group with systolic blood pressure difference between reception room and consultation room(SBP) in more than 5mmHg is more likely to be hypertensive than the group with SBP in less than 5mmHg(P<0.01). More female patients(66%) and hypertensive patients(59%) were belong to the group whose systolic blood pressure at consultation room were 5mmHg higher than at reception room(P<0.01). Twenty four patients(30%) of the group whose systolic blood pressure at reception room were 5mmHg higher than at consultation room had cigarette smoking within 1 hour, and this ratio was significantly higher than the other groups whose systolic blood pressure difference was less than 5rnmHg or systolic blood pressure at consultation room were 5mmHg higher than at reception room(P<0.01). There was relatively good concordance in classifying hypertension and normal blood pressure according to measurement site(Overall kappa, 0.747, P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Many patients showed blood pressure differences more than 5mmHg between reception room and consultation room. Systolic blood pressure at consultation room was higher than that at reception room, and there was relatively good concordance in classifying hypertension and normal blood pressure according to measurement site, but the adverse effect by misclassification should not be neglected. The importance as well as the limitation of blood pressure measurement at reception room should be considered in screening and treating hypertensive patient. Every time when blood pressure is taken, physicians should keep in mind to consider patients factors which may influence blood pressure level.
Blood Pressure* ; Coffee ; Female ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Male ; Mass Screening ; Outpatients* ; Physical Examination ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Sphygmomanometers

Darier's disease is a well-known genodermatosis characterized by recurrent waxy, hyperkeratotic papules usually occurring over the seborrheic area. The major histopathological changes are characteristic acantholysis and dyskeratosis which are diagnostic of the disease with typical clinical features. There are less common variants including the hypertrophic, vesicobullous and linear type. However, comedonal lesions are very rare. We report an unusual case of Darier's disease, which showed prominent comedonal papules and plaques over the face, scalp and upper trunk with the typical findings of Darier's disease.
Acantholysis ; Darier Disease* ; Scalp

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the general status and prevalence of cerebral palsy, the complication and the activity of daily living in patients with cerebral palsy in Holt Ilsan Home. METHODS: Cross-sectional study was performed on 113 cerebral palsy patients in Holt Ilsan Home with the medical records review, the physical examination, and the Modified Barthel index for the independency of activities of daily living. RESULTS: The mean age of subjects was 28.1+/-12.7 years and the duration of residence was 22.9+/-12.8 years. The most common type of cerebral palsy according to the muscle tone abnormality was spastic type(53.1%). The most frequent condition in which extremities are involved were quadriplegia in 46.0%. The score of Modified Barthel index was significantly lower in mixed type for 16.9+/-24.0 and quadriplegic type for 14.8+/-25.5 compared with others. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that cerebral palsy patients in rehabilitation facility have severe medical problems such as musculoskeletal complications, visual and language problems, epilepsy and dependency in activities of daily living. Therefore more medical attention like long-term follow-up study and social supports is needed.
Activities of Daily Living ; Cerebral Palsy* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Disabled Persons* ; Epilepsy ; Extremities ; Humans ; Medical Records ; Muscle Spasticity ; Physical Examination ; Prevalence ; Quadriplegia ; Rehabilitation ; Residential Facilities*

We report a case of subcutaneous panniculitic T-cell lymphoma (SPTCL) which occurred in a 10-year-old Korean girl. Her disease presented as multiple erythematous subcutaneous nodules on the right cheek, left chest, abdomen, left flank, both calves, and left shin with systemic symptoms. She had a protracted course of multiple erythematous subcutaneous nodules for 2 months often with spiking fever. Histopathologic findings for the subcutaneous nodules revealed lobular panniculitis-like findings composed of atypical small, bland lymphocytes and histiocytes. Characteristically, atypical lymphocytes rimmed individual fat cells in a lace-like pattern and some histiocytes occasionally phagocytosed WBCs. Bone marrow findings revealed increased phagocytic histiocytes with engulfed hematopoietic cell. The immunophenotypic studies showed CD45RO (UCHLl)+, CD20-, CD4-, CD8+ and CD56+ (focal), lysozyme+, CD45 (LCA)+ and EBV-. She received three cycles of high-dose cyclophosphamide, adriamycin, vincristine, prednisolone (CHOP) and methotrexate, intrathecal methotrexate and one cycle of fludarabine, mitoxantrone and dexamethasone (FND) chemotherapy. She died of acute renal failure during multiple chemotherapy.
Abdomen ; Acute Kidney Injury ; Adipocytes ; Bone Marrow ; Cheek ; Child* ; Cyclophosphamide ; Dexamethasone ; Doxorubicin ; Drug Therapy ; Female ; Fever ; Glycogen Storage Disease Type VI ; Histiocytes ; Humans ; Lymphocytes ; Lymphoma, T-Cell* ; Lymphoma, T-Cell, Cutaneous ; Methotrexate ; Mitoxantrone ; Prednisolone ; T-Lymphocytes* ; Thorax ; Vincristine

Inflammation is closely related to the progression of cancer as well as tumorigenesis. Here, we investigated the effect of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) on E-cadherin expression in SNU719 gastric cancer cells. E-cadherin expression decreased as the dose or exposure time of PGE2 and IL-1beta increased, whereas Snail expression increased with dose or time of PGE2 and IL-1beta. E-cadherin expression reduced by PGE2 treatment increased after the transfection of Snail siRNA. Neutralization of IL-1beta using anti-IL-1beta antibody blocked the expression pattern of E-cadherin and Snail occurred by IL-1beta treatment. However, there was no synergic effect of IL-1beta and PGE2 on the expression pattern of E-cadherin and Snail. In conclusion, inflammatory mediators reduced E-cadherin expression by enhancing Snail expression in gastric cancer cells. Inflammation-induced transcriptional regulation of E-cadherin in gastric cancer has implications for targeted chemoprevention and therapy.
Antibodies/immunology ; Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology ; Cadherins/*metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Dinoprostone/*pharmacology ; Gene Expression Regulation/*drug effects ; Humans ; Interleukin-1beta/immunology/*pharmacology ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Small Interfering/metabolism ; Stomach Neoplasms/metabolism/pathology ; Transcription Factors/antagonists & inhibitors/genetics/*metabolism

PURPOSE: It is known that cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 expression is increased in Barrett's esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinomas. We studied COX-2 expression and the effect sulindac has on the genesis of Barrett's esophagus and adenocarcinoma in rats undergoing esophagogastroduodenal anastomosis (EGDA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-one rats were divided into a control group (n=27), a 500ppm sulindac-treated group (n=15) and 1000 ppm sulindac-treated group (n=9). Randomly selected rats were killed by diethyl ether inhalation at 20 and 40 weeks after surgery. RESULTS: At 40 weeks, rats treated with 1000 ppm sulindac showed narrower esophageal diameter and milder inflammation than the control rats. At 40 weeks, the incidence of Barrett's esophagus was similar between control and sulindac-treated groups, but the incidence of adenocarcinoma was significantly lower in the 1000ppm sulindac-treated group than either the control or 500 ppm sulindac-treated groups. COX-2 was significantly increased in the lower esophagus of control rats killed at 40 weeks. Cyclin D1 expression was negligible in the sulindac- treated group compared with the control group. CONCLUSION: We suggest that the chemopreventive effect of sulindac is related to decreased COX-2 and cyclin D1 expression, which may be influenced by reduced inflammation.
Adenocarcinoma/etiology/metabolism/*prevention & control ; Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use ; Barrett Esophagus/etiology/metabolism/prevention & control ; Blotting, Western ; Cyclin D1/metabolism ; Cyclooxygenase 2/metabolism ; Duodenogastric Reflux/*complications ; Esophageal Neoplasms/etiology/metabolism/*prevention & control ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen/metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sulindac/*therapeutic use

OBJECTIVE: To compare the scar formation and hand function between moist exposed burn ointment (MEBO) treatment and conventional skin graft in full thickness hand burns. METHOD: Prospective comparative study was done between MEBO treatment group and conventional skin graft group. Full thickness burn wound scars on dorsal hand were compared. Scars were assessed with the Vancouver scar scale and other objective measurement tools such as pigmentation, erythema, pliability, transepideramal water loss, thickness and perfusion. Hand function was evaluated by the Jebsen hand function test and Michigan Hand Function Questionnaire. RESULTS: Vancouver Scar scale showed significantly better scores in the MEBO group than in the conventional skin graft group. Scar thickness and transepidermal water loss were greater in the MEBO treatment group whereas pigmentation value was greater in the conventional skin graft group. There was no significant difference in the hand function between the two groups. CONCLUSION: MEBO application could be an alternative treatment to conventional skin graft treatment in full thickness hand burn wounds. In the future, more studies are yet to come how MEBO treatment may affect the skin condition of the burn injuries.
Burns* ; Cicatrix* ; Erythema ; Hand* ; Michigan ; Perfusion ; Pigmentation ; Pliability ; Prospective Studies ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Skin* ; Transplants* ; Wounds and Injuries

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of gabapentin and clonidine on neuropathic pain in an experimental pain model. METHOD: 24 male adult rats were anesthetized and the sciatic nerve was exposed. Each exposed nerve was electrically injured with 10 volts for 10 seconds by two needle electrodes. Rats were divided into three groups by treating with gabapentin, clonidine and sham. Gabapentin and clonidine were given orally from post operation day 3 to 7 in gabapentin and clonidine groups respectively. To evaluate the presence of mechanical allodynia, withdrawal frequency was tested by Von Frey hair in the same days. After post operation day 7, all the medications were discontinued and mechanical allodynia was evaluated at post operation day 14. RESULT: Neuropathic pain was developed after electrical injury in all the rats. Withdrawal frequency is more decreased in gabapentin and clonidine groups than sham group in post operation day 4 to 7. The withdrawal frequency was 2.88+/-0.83, 2.75+/-0.89, 3.13+/-0.99, 3.25+/- 1.28 in gabapentin group and 3.38+/-0.92, 4.50+/-2.20, 3.25+/-1.17, 3.50+/-0.93 in clonidine group in post operation day 4, 5, 6, 7, respectively. In post operation day 14, withdrawal frequency was increased and showed no difference compared to the sham group. CONCLUSION: Gabapentin and clonidine can suppress the neuropathic pain in an experimental pain model. There was no different effect on the neuropathic pain suppression between gabapentin and clonidine.
Adult ; Animals ; Clonidine* ; Electrodes ; Hair ; Humans ; Hyperalgesia ; Male ; Needles ; Neuralgia* ; Rats ; Sciatic Nerve