BACKGROUND: Angina with normal coronary angiogram has been called syndrome X or microvasclar angina. Pathophysiologic mechanisms for chest pain in this group of patients are not known exactly. This study was performed to compare the insulin level of the patients with syndrome X with that of the healthy asymptomatic volunteers. METHODS: The syndrome X group was consisted of 18 patients(11 men and 7 women). All patients had typical chest pain and positive exercise test with a completely normal coronary andgiogram. Patients with hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and there taking any drug known to affect the insulin secretion were excluded. The control group was consisted of 38 healthy subjects(25 men and 11 women) who were not taking any medications. We measured the plasma glucose insulin and C-peptide concentration during oral glucose tolerance test in both groups. RESULTS: Fasting plasma glucose was normal in all patients in both groups. There were no significant differences in plasma glucose level, during the oral grucose tolerance test. There were no significant differences between control and wyndrome X group in the fasting plasma insulin concentration(5.1+/-2.4 vs 5.9+/-2.7 microg/ml, p>0.05). However, the insulin levels at 60min(47.6+/-20.0 vs 84.0+/-68.0 microg/ml) and 120 min(31.4+/-18.2 vs 92.9+/-83.8 microg/ml)were significantly higher in the syndrome X group(p<0.05). THere were no significant differences in the C-peptide concentrations at fasting, 60 min and 120 min after oral glucose tolerance test between control and syndrome X group(p>0.05). CONCLUSION: As shown in above results, there were significant differences in insulin concentrations, but nor in C-peptide concentrations between control and syndrome X group. Thus it can be suggested that the increased dinsulin level in these patients is resulted from the altered insulin action to the target tissues, not from the pancreatic overproduction of insulin. We suggest that this hyperinsulinemia resulted from the insulin resistance play a possible role in the abnormality of microvascular circulation as a mechanism of Syndrome X.
Blood Glucose ; C-Peptide ; Chest Pain* ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Exercise Test ; Fasting ; Glucose Tolerance Test ; Humans ; Hyperinsulinism* ; Hypertension ; Insulin ; Insulin Resistance ; Male ; Plasma ; Thorax* ; Volunteers

A clinical analysis of infective endocarditis was done in 34 patients who were admitted to National Medical Center from march. 1972 to June. 1984, and the results were as follows. 1) There was no difference in ratio between sexes. The prevalence was highest in the 3rd decade. 2) The important preexisting heart diseases were rheumatic heart disease(32.4%), congenital heart disease(17.6%) and undefined cardiac condition(20.6%) in order of frequency. 3) The common symptoms and signs on admission were fever(88.3%), cardiac murmur(79.4%), malaise(70.6%), dyspnea (64.7%), palpitation(55.9%) and hepatosplenomegaly(55.9%). 4) The positive blood culture was obtained in 15(47%) of the cases. Those who had not received antibiotics before admission showed higher rate of positive culture(72.7%) than in those who had received(33.3%). 5) The laboratary findings revealed anemia(73.5%), leukocytosis(35.3%), increased ESR(73.5%), microscopic hematuria(61.8%) and positive CRP(100.0%). 6) The EKG findings showed normal(11.8%), sinus tachycardia(32.4%), LV hypertrophy(29.4%), non-specific ST-T change(20.6%) and AV block(14.7%). 7) Vegetation was detected by echocardiography in 43% of cases and the most frequently involved valve was aortic(66.7%). 8) The combination of penicillin and aminoglycoside was effective in 86.4% of patients so treated.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Dyspnea ; Echocardiography ; Electrocardiography ; Endocarditis* ; Heart ; Heart Diseases ; Humans ; Penicillins ; Prevalence

OBJECTIVES: Slow transit type of chronic constipation can be divided into two types, colonic constipation, and generalized gastrointestinal dysmotility. However, it is debatable whether generalized GI dysmotility should be considered as upper gastrointestinal dysmotility secondary to colonic constipation or independent type of chronic constipation. In this study, we compared gastric emptying time(T1/2) of patients of chronic constipation with that of normal controls, and tried to find out any relationship between segmental colonic transit time and gastric emptying time. METHODS: Twenty three patients with chronic slow transit constipation who either visited or admitted to Youngdong Severance Hospital between september 1995 to lune 1997, and 27 normal controls were recruited. Both the patients and normal controls were fed with radioopaque material and colonic transit time and gastric emptying time were measured. RESULTS: 1) Seventy four percent of patients with chronic slow transit constipation showed a delayed gastric emptying time. Patients group showed a significantly delayed gastric emptying time compared with that of normal controls(110.9+/-32.3 min vs. 72.1+/-11.4 min, p<0.05). Gastric emptying time in respect to gender showed significant differences in normal controls(M=65.5+/-9.6 min, F=78.7+/-10.4 min). However, no significant difference was found in patient group(M=97.8+/-11.8 min, F=114.5+/-35.4 min). 2) In chronic slow transit constipation, colonic transit time was 48.8+/-11.7 hr. Each segments of colon showed a different transit time: Right colon 19.3+/-7.3 hr, left colon 21.2+/-12.3 hr, and rectosigmoid 8.3+/-9.2 hr. All of which were significantly delayed, compared with those of normal controls. 3) In patients group, colonic transit time of the whole colon had no significant correlation with gastric emptying time. 4) Seventy five percent of patients with chronic slow transit constipation whose right colonic transit time was delayed showed a delayed gastric emptying time. On the other hands, 63% of patients with delayed left colonic transit time had a delayed gastic emptying time. Patients with delayed gastric emptying time and those with normal gastric emptying time had no significantly different colonic transit time(49.1+/-13.2 hr vs 48.0+/-6.5 hr). CONCLUSIONS: Large number of patients with chronic slow transit constipation had a delayed gastric emptying time. When surgical treatment is considered in patients with chronic slow transit constipation, it seems to be beneficial to estimate such parameters as manometry or gastric emptying time in order to evaluate functional derangement of UGI tract. These parameters may provide a guideline in treatment of chronic idiopathic constipation.
Colon ; Constipation ; Gastric Emptying* ; Hand ; Humans ; Manometry

OBJECTIVES: Patients with chronic renal failure have increased hemorrhagic tendency due to an uremic platelet dysfunction and complications from anticoagulants used in hemodialysis. They are also prone to have thrombotic complications in the cerebral vessels, coronary arteries and A-V fistula, due to hypercoagulability from changes in various factors. Recently, deficiencies in plasma protein C and S, which are physiological anticoagulants, have been reported to cause thrombosis. In chronic renal failure, plasma protein C and S activities are known to be decreased. METHODS: In the present study, activities and antigen concentrations of plasma protein C and S, as well as AT-III activities were investigated in three groups; the normal control group, the predialysis group of chronic renal failure patients treated conservatively, and the hemodialysis group. The findings were analyzed for their relationship to hypercoagulability. RESULTS: 1) The activities of plasma protein C, S and antithrombin-III were significantly lower in the predialysis chronic renal failure group as compared to the control. Antithrombin-III concentrations in the hemodialysis group assayed immediately prior to dialysis were significantly lower than those of the control group. But, protein C antigen concentrations in the hemodialysis group assayed immediately prior to dialysis were significantly higher than those of the control group. There was no significant difference between these groups in plasma protein C activities, and plasma protein S activities and antigen concentrations. 2) In the hemodialysis group, antithrombin-III activities, antigen concentration and activities of plasma protein C were significantly higher than after dialysis as compared to those before the dialysis. 3) There were no significant difference in plasma protein C, S and antithrombin-III activities and plasma protein C and S antigen concentrations in hemodialysis patients between with and without thrombosis at arterio-venous fistula site. However, plasma protein C and antithrombin-III activities were significantly lower in those with thrombosis as compared to those of the normal control group. There were no significant difference in plasma protein C and S activities and antigen concentrations in those without thrombosis as compared to those of the normal control group. 4) There were no significant diffrences in plasma protein C, protein S and antithrombin-III activities and antigen concentrations in dialysis patients with and without recombinant erythropoietin treatment. 5) There were no significant correlations between serum creatinine and creatinine clearance, and plasma antithrombin-III, protein C and protein S activities and antigen concentrations in predialysis group. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the decrease in plasma antithrombin-III, protein C and S could be the factors causing hypercoagulability in chronic renal failure patients, and the decreased activities of these factors may return to normal by dialysis. In the hemodialysis group, there were no significant diffrences in plasma protein C and S and antithrombin-III activities and antigen concentrations between the group which showed clinical thrombosis and the group which did not. However, in those who had thrombosis, plasma protein C and antithrombin-III activities are significantly lower than the control group. Administration of recombinant human erythropoietin does not appear to affect the activities of plasma protein C and S and antithrombin-III. In predialysis chronic renal failure patients, there was no significant relationship between renal function and plasma protein C and S and antithrombin-III.
Anticoagulants ; Arteries ; Blood Platelets ; Coronary Vessels ; Creatinine ; Dialysis ; Erythropoietin ; Fistula ; Humans ; Kidney Failure, Chronic* ; Plasma ; Protein C* ; Protein S ; Renal Dialysis ; Thrombophilia ; Thrombosis

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The etiology of funetional dyspepsia remains unknown, with inconclusive evidence for several factors, including abnormal gastroduodenal motility, personal traits, infection of Helicobactor pylori (H. pylori) and erosive prepyloric change (EPC). Therefore, we evaluated the relation between H. pylori or EPC and gastric emptying in patients with functional dyspepsia. METHODS: We performed an ultrasonographic gastric emptying test in 18 patients with functional dyspepsia comparing 6 healthy volunteers as the control. The presence of BPC in the stomah was diagnosed by esophogogastroduodenoscopy, and the Helicobacter pylori infection was evaluated using a rapid urease test. RESULTS: The erosive prepyloric change in the antrum was revealed in five patients with dyspepsia. Amang the EPC (+), EPC (-) with dyspepsia, and healthy volunteers, the parameters of the ultrasonographic gastric emptying test and subjective symptom scores did not reveal significant differences. Among the H. pylori (+), H. pylori (-) patients with dyspepsia and healthy volunteers, the parameters of the ultrasonographic gastric emptying test and subjective symptom scores did not reveal significant differences. CONCLUSIONS: No association was found between dyspeptic symtoms and the presence of H. pylori infection or EPC. The two factors, Helicobacter pylori infection and erosive prepyloric change, did not affect the gastric motility in functional dyspepsia.
Dyspepsia* ; Gastric Emptying ; Healthy Volunteers ; Helicobacter pylori* ; Helicobacter* ; Humans ; Urease

A 59-year old female was admitted to Yongdong Severance Hospital due to diarrhea and lower abdominal pain lasting for 2 months. She had a previous history of admission for stomach cancer on September 1995. At that time, she underwent total gastrectomy and gastroduodenostomy. The pathology of the specimen revealed a signet ring cell carcinoma of stomach. On admission, computerized tomography revealed rectal wall thickness and no evidence of lymph node enlargement in abdomen and pelvic cavity. Barium enema study showed stricture of rectum. After sigmoidoscopic biopsy, she was diagnosed as a rectal metastasis resulted in rectal stricture and underwent sigmoid loop colostomy. Hence we present a case of gastric cancer with rectal metastasis resulted in rectal stricture.
Abdomen ; Abdominal Pain ; Barium ; Biopsy ; Carcinoma, Signet Ring Cell ; Colon, Sigmoid ; Colostomy ; Constriction, Pathologic* ; Diarrhea ; Enema ; Female ; Gastrectomy ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Metastasis* ; Pathology ; Rectum ; Stomach ; Stomach Neoplasms*

PURPOSE: Obesity is related to many diseases, including urological conditions. We investigated the prevalence, risk factors, and treatment of male obesity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 17,485 men older than 20 years of age who participated in the fourth, fifth, and sixth administrations of the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Two main cutoff points for obesity were defined: a body mass index (BMI) ≥25 kg/m2 and a BMI≥30 kg/m2. Additionally, we defined obesity requiring pharmacotherapy as the presence of a BMI≥30 kg/m2 or a BMI≥27 kg/m2 co-occurring with at least one associated comorbid medical condition, such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, or diabetes. RESULTS: The prevalence rates of a BMI≥25 kg/m2, a BMI≥30 kg/m2, and obesity requiring pharmacotherapy were 35.7%, 3.4%, and 10.5%, respectively. The prevalence of obesity increased over time for all definitions of obesity. The prevalence of obesity requiring pharmacotherapy was highest in Jeju (12.5%) and lowest in Gangwon-do (7.7%). Having a higher income, being a non-manual worker, and having completed a high level of education were significantly related to obesity requiring pharmacotherapy. More than 70% of patients with obesity requiring pharmacotherapy reported taking diet pills, eating functional foods, or consuming a one-food diet for weight reduction, but only 13.9% reported exercising for this purpose. CONCLUSIONS: Male obesity is a common condition, the prevalence of which is expected to continue to increase over time. A better strategy is required to manage male obesity in Korea.
Body Mass Index ; Diet ; Drug Therapy ; Dyslipidemias ; Eating ; Education ; Functional Food ; Gangwon-do ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Korea ; Male ; Nutrition Surveys ; Obesity* ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Weight Loss

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the densities of antral gastrin and somatostatin-immunoreactive cells in Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection were related to the bacterial expression of cytotoxin-associated gene A (CagA). 32 patients who had underwent diagnostic esophagogastroduodenoscopy were studied. On the histologic examination all patients had antral gastritis. We divided the subjects into three groups. Group I consisted of 6 patients who had chronic superficial gastritis, group II, 9 patients who had H. pylori-associated gastritis but with no expression of CagA, and group III, 17 patients who had H. pylori-associated gastritis with the expression of CagA. In group I and II, serum gastrin levels, and antral G cell and D-cell were measured. In group III, serum gastrin levels, and antral G cell and D-cell were measured, before and after the eradication of H. pylori. The results were as follows. Firstly, serum gastrin concentrations were significantly higher in the patients with H. pylori infection than in the negative controls. Nextly, there was no correlation between the changes in antral G or D-cell density and H. pylori infection. Thirdly, group III had a significant increase in serum gastrin concentrations and a significant decrease in antral D-cell density than group I. Forthly, eradication of H. pylori in group III showed a significantly increased antral D-cell density. Our results suggest that hypergastrinemia in H. pylori-associated gastritis is relevant to the presence of CagA, and the possible mechanism of hypergastrinemia may be related to antral D-cell deficiency, which is caused by H. pylori infection with the expression of CagA.
Adult ; Bacterial Proteins/genetics* ; Cell Count ; Female ; Gastrins/blood* ; Helicobacter Infections/genetics* ; Helicobacter Infections/blood* ; Helicobacter pylori* ; Human ; Male ; Middle Age ; Osmolar Concentration ; Pyloric Antrum/pathology*

Dieulafoy lesion is an uncommon cause of gastrointestinal bleeding, reported to be only 2% of acute or chronic upper gastrointestinal bleeding episodes. Bleeding occurs from a small mucosal erosion involving an unusually large submucosal artery in an otherwise normal mucosa. It is associated with massive, life threatening hemorrhage and is difficult to diagnosis. In most cases the lesion is encountered in the proximal stomach, antrum, duodenum, colon and rectum. In particular, extragastric Dieulafoy lesion is an extremely rare source of intestinal bleeding. In Korea, no case of bleeding from a Dieulafoy lesion of the small intestine has been previously reported. We experienced one case of bleeding from a jejunal Dieulafoy lesion, which was confirmed by the pathologic examination of the resected specimen, and report here.
Adult ; Arteries/abnormalities* ; Case Report ; Female ; Gastric Mucosa/blood supply* ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage/etiology* ; Human ; Intestinal Mucosa/blood supply*

BACKGROUND: Kasai portoenterostomy has been the standard operative procedure in cases of biliary atresia (BA) since Kasai reported the first successful operative case in 1959. However, BA is still one of the pediatric surgical lesions that does not always show satisfactory operative results. METHODS: To evaluate the long-term results and the prognostic factors influencing the survival with the Kasai portoenterostomy for BA, we reviewed 80 BA patients treated at Department of Pediatric Surgery, Seoul National University Hospital from 1980 to 1990. Kaplan-Meier method and Log-rank test were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Overall 5-year and 10-year survival rates were 42% and 37%, respectively. Thirty-one patients underwent surgery at ages under 60 days, 31 at ages between 60 and 90 days, 11 at ages between 90 and 120 days and 7 at ages beyond 120 days. There were no statistically significant differences in survival rates among the age groups. In the liver biopsy, minimal hepatic fibrosis was noted in 2 patients, moderate fibrosis in 13, severe fibrosis in 25 and cirrhosis in 5. There were no statistically significant differences in the survival rates according to the degree of hepatic fibrosis but there was a statistically significant difference between patients with cirrhosis and without cirrhosis (p= .03). The size of the bile ductules at the porta hepatis was less than 50 micrometers in 18 patients, between 50 and 100 micrometers in 19 patients, between 100 and 200 micrometers in 4 patients and greater than 200 micrometers in 3 patients. There were no statistically significant differences in the survival rates according to the size of the bile ductules at the porta hepatis. Out of the 12 long-term survivors, survival of more than 10 years, 5 patients had abnormal liver function and 7 patients showed clinical manifestations of portal hypertension. CONCLUSIONS: Kasai portoenterostomy offers reasonable long-term survival and should be the initial procedure for biliary atresia, but a significant portion of the long-term survivors has abnormal liver functionand portal hypertension. Continuous and careful follow-up is needed not to miss the proper time for liver transplantation. Liver cirrhosis at the time of the operation was the only statistically significant prognostic factor influencing the survival.
Bile ; Biliary Atresia* ; Biopsy ; Fibrosis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hypertension, Portal ; Liver ; Liver Cirrhosis ; Liver Transplantation ; Seoul ; Surgical Procedures, Operative ; Survival Rate ; Survivors