Trichloroethylene (TCE) has been widely used as a degreasing agent in many manufacturing industries. Recently, the International Agency for Research on Cancer presented "sufficient evidence" for the causal relationship between TCE and kidney cancer. The aim of this study was to review the epidemiologic evidences regarding the relationship between TCE exposure and kidney cancer in Korean work environments. The results from the cohort studies were inconsistent, but according to the meta-analysis and case-control studies, an increased risk for kidney cancer was present in the exposure group and the dose-response relationship could be identified using various measures of exposure. In Korea, TCE is a commonly used chemical for cleaning or degreasing processes by various manufacturers; average exposure levels of TCE vary widely. When occupational physicians evaluate work-relatedness kidney cancers, they must consider past exposure levels, which could be very high (>100 ppm in some cases) and associated with jobs, such as plating, cleaning, or degreasing. The exposure levels at a manual job could be higher than an automated job. The peak level of TCE could also be considered an important exposure-related variable due to the possibility of carcinogenesis associated with high TCE doses. This review could be a comprehensive reference for assessing work-related TCE exposure and kidney cancer in Korea.
Carcinogenesis ; Case-Control Studies ; Cohort Studies ; International Agencies ; Kidney Neoplasms* ; Kidney* ; Korea ; Occupational Exposure* ; Occupations ; Trichloroethylene*

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) increases the risk of heart failure (HF). The purpose of this study was to identify the prevalence of MetS in patients with HF and determine the syndrome's association with HF in clinical and laboratory parameters. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 3200 HF patients (67.6+/-14.5 years) enrolled in a nationwide prospective Korea HF Registry between Jan. 2005 and Oct. 2009. Patients were divided into two groups according to the presence or absence of MetS at admission: group I (presence, n=1141) and group II (absence, n=2059). RESULTS: The prevalence of MetS was 35.7% across all subjects and was higher in females (56.0%). The levels of white blood cells, platelets, creatinine, glucose, and cholesterol were significantly higher in group I than in group II. Left ventricular dimension and volume was smaller and ejection fraction was higher in group I than in group II. An ischemic cause of HF was more frequent in group I. The rates of valvular and idiopathic cause were lower in group I than in group II. The rate of mortality was lower in group I than in group II (4.9% vs. 8.3%, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Despite the increased cardiovascular risks in MetS, MetS was found to be associated with decreased mortality in HF.
Blood Platelets ; Cholesterol ; Creatinine ; Female ; Glucose ; Heart ; Heart Failure ; Humans ; Korea ; Leukocytes ; Prevalence ; Prospective Studies

BACKGROUND: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is frequently associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus, obesity and dyslipidemia. Also, it is recognized to be one of component of the insulin resistance syndrome. But both its pathogenesis and clinical implication associated with cardiovascular disease as an important outcome of insulin resistance have not been well known. We investigated the relationship between NAFLD, metabolic disorders, and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) as a risk marker of atherosclerosis. METHODS: A total of 213 nonalcoholic subjects (67 males, 146 females) participated in this study. Subjects were divided into NAFLD or normal group based on the existence of fatty liver seen by sonography. RESULTS: The prevalence of hypertension, impaired fasting glucose, hypertriglyceridemia, low HDL-C level and central obesity were higher in NAFLD group than those in normal group. After controlling for age, sex and body mass index, serum ALT, AST, ALP and GGT levels were significantly associated with homeostatis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (p<0.05). baPWV in NAFLD group was significantly higher than those in normal group in females (p=0.005). After adjusting for age, NAFLD had positive correlation with baPWV (p=0.039). In addition, the positive correlation was stronger in NAFLD with elevated liver enzymes (p=0.011). Individual levels of serum ALT, AST, ALP and GGT were positively correlated with baPWV after adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, HOMA-IR and systolic blood pressure (p<0.05). A multiple regression analysis showed baPWV was significantly associated with age, systolic blood pressure, body mass index and various liver enzymes, respectively. CONCLUSION: baPWV was significantly associated with NAFLD, especially in females. baPWV also had significant positive correlation with various liver enzymes. NAFLD showed more strong correlation with baPWV when it was combined with abnormal liver function. NAFLD, especially combined with abnormal liver function, may be associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
Atherosclerosis ; Blood Pressure ; Body Mass Index ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; Dyslipidemias ; Fasting ; Fatty Liver* ; Female ; Glucose ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Hypertriglyceridemia ; Insulin Resistance ; Liver ; Male ; Metabolic Diseases* ; Obesity ; Obesity, Abdominal ; Prevalence ; Pulse Wave Analysis*

BACKGROUND: As elderly people increasing, prevalence of diabetes will increase but there was paucity of data on the epidemiology of diabetes in Korean elderly population. In this study (Southwest Seoul, SWS study) we investigated the change of prevalence of diabetes mellitus for two points in time (the years 1999 and 2002) and 3-year incidence of diabetes in elderly Korean population of southwest area of Seoul. METHODS: A sampling of 1,652 subjects in 1999 and 1,214 subjects in 2002 who are over 60 years old in southwest area of Seoul were investigated. All subjects underwent a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), biochemical study and anthropometric measurements. Among the 1,652 subjects in 1999, 350 subjects were followed up for 3 years and 294 subjects without diabetes at baseline examination participated in retrospective cohort study. RESULTS: Prevalence of diabetes in 1999 was 20.5% [previous diagnosed people (11.9%), newly diagnosed people (8.6%)] and in 2002 was 22.1% [previous diagnosed people (15.2%), newly diagnosed people (6.9%)]. Prevalence of impaired fasting glucose (IFG) or impaired glucose intolerance (IGT) was 22.8% in 1999 and 27.8% in 2002. In 350 subjects were followed up for 3 years, prevalence of diabetes was 16.0% in 1999 and increased to 23.4% in 2002 (p=0.014). In retrospective cohort study, the annual incidence rate of diabetes was 2.9% (age and sex adjusted rate 2.5%). CONCLUSION: Prevalence of diabetes in elderly Korean population of southwest area of Seoul was 20.5% in 1999 and increased to 22.1% in 2002. Prevalence of IFG or IGT was 22.8% in 1999 and increased to 27.8% in 2002. This report supports that impaired glucose regulations and diabetes mellitus of elderly Korean population will increase in the future as aged Korean population increases.
Aged ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Cohort Studies ; Diabetes Mellitus* ; Epidemiology ; Fasting ; Glucose ; Glucose Intolerance ; Glucose Tolerance Test ; Humans ; Incidence* ; Middle Aged* ; Prevalence* ; Retrospective Studies ; Seoul ; Social Control, Formal

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia refers to a group of autosomal recessive disorders that is defective in the synthesis of cortisol. The enzymes most often affected are 21-hydroxylase and 11beta hydroxylase. The low levels of cortisol stimulate the pituitary gland to release ACTH. Chronic elevation of the ACTH level causes bilateral adrenal hyperplasia and a secondary increase in androgen formation. We examined a 19 year-old woman presented with clitoral hypertrophy and vaginal spotting. The subjects basal level of serum cortisol was low, but the serum levels of ACTH, 17a-hydroxyprogesterone, deoxy-corticosterone were elevated. The urinary excretions of 17-ketosteroids and 17-hydroxycorticosteroids were also increased. The karyotyping study and transrectal ultrasonography showed normal findings. The patient underwent clitoris reduction surgery and received hydrocortisone. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of 11beta-Hydroxylase deficiency in Korea.
17-Hydroxycorticosteroids ; 17-Ketosteroids ; Adrenal Hyperplasia, Congenital* ; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone ; Clitoris ; Female ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone ; Hyperplasia ; Hypertrophy ; Karyotyping ; Korea ; Metrorrhagia ; Pituitary Gland ; Steroid 21-Hydroxylase ; Ultrasonography ; Young Adult

Sheehan's syndrome occurs as a result of ischemic pituitary necrosis due to severe postpartum hemorrhage. The manifestations of this clinical syndrome are most often caused by a deficiency in the hormones produced by the anterior pituitary gland, whereas the neurohypophysis is usually preserved but can be involved in severe cases that manifest as diabetes insipidus. This is a report of Sheehan's syndrome that manifested with diabetes insipidus as presenting symptom 2 month's after delivery. The patient suffered massive bleeding, so received a blood transfusion. A combined pituitary stimulation and water deprivation test revealed deficiencies of not only anterior pituitary hormones, such as growth hormone and prolactin, but also of anti-diuretic hormone. We report this case, with a review of the literature.
Blood Transfusion ; Diabetes Insipidus ; Diabetes Insipidus, Neurogenic* ; Growth Hormone ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hypopituitarism* ; Necrosis ; Pituitary Gland, Anterior ; Pituitary Gland, Posterior ; Pituitary Hormones, Anterior ; Postpartum Hemorrhage ; Prolactin ; Water Deprivation

Sheehan's syndrome occurs as a result of ischemic pituitary necrosis due to severe postpartum hemorrhage. The manifestations of this clinical syndrome are most often caused by a deficiency in the hormones produced by the anterior pituitary gland, whereas the neurohypophysis is usually preserved but can be involved in severe cases that manifest as diabetes insipidus. This is a report of Sheehan's syndrome that manifested with diabetes insipidus as presenting symptom 2 month's after delivery. The patient suffered massive bleeding, so received a blood transfusion. A combined pituitary stimulation and water deprivation test revealed deficiencies of not only anterior pituitary hormones, such as growth hormone and prolactin, but also of anti-diuretic hormone. We report this case, with a review of the literature.
Blood Transfusion ; Diabetes Insipidus ; Diabetes Insipidus, Neurogenic* ; Growth Hormone ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hypopituitarism* ; Necrosis ; Pituitary Gland, Anterior ; Pituitary Gland, Posterior ; Pituitary Hormones, Anterior ; Postpartum Hemorrhage ; Prolactin ; Water Deprivation

Primary hyperparathyroidism is the most frequent cause of hypercalcemia, and its prevalence is increasing due to the routine examination of serum calcium levels. Primary hyperparathyroidims is most commonly caused by an adenoma or hyperplasia of the parathyroid gland. A cystic parathyroid adenoma is an extremely rare cause of primary hyperparathyroidism. In our case, a-79-year old female presented with lower back pain and constipation. Her serum calcium, phosphate and immunoreactive parathyroid homone levels were 15.6, 1.8mg/dL and 371.8pg/mL, respectively. Neck CT revealed a cystic mass and a contour bulging heterogeneous mass in the left inferior right thyroid gland, respectively. These mass lesions were removed, and the intra-operative parathyroid hormone levels monitored, to confirm the complete resection. After removing the left cystic mass to the inferior thyroid, the serum calcium and immunoreactive parathyroid hormone levels quickly returned to normal. We report a case of primary hyperparathyroidism, caused by a cystic parathyroid adenoma, with a brief review of the literature
Adenoma ; Calcium ; Constipation ; Female ; Humans ; Hypercalcemia ; Hyperparathyroidism ; Hyperparathyroidism, Primary* ; Hyperplasia ; Low Back Pain ; Neck ; Parathyroid Glands ; Parathyroid Hormone ; Parathyroid Neoplasms* ; Prevalence ; Thyroid Gland

Primary hyperparathyroidism is the most frequent cause of hypercalcemia, and its prevalence is increasing due to the routine examination of serum calcium levels. Primary hyperparathyroidims is most commonly caused by an adenoma or hyperplasia of the parathyroid gland. A cystic parathyroid adenoma is an extremely rare cause of primary hyperparathyroidism. In our case, a-79-year old female presented with lower back pain and constipation. Her serum calcium, phosphate and immunoreactive parathyroid homone levels were 15.6, 1.8mg/dL and 371.8pg/mL, respectively. Neck CT revealed a cystic mass and a contour bulging heterogeneous mass in the left inferior right thyroid gland, respectively. These mass lesions were removed, and the intra-operative parathyroid hormone levels monitored, to confirm the complete resection. After removing the left cystic mass to the inferior thyroid, the serum calcium and immunoreactive parathyroid hormone levels quickly returned to normal. We report a case of primary hyperparathyroidism, caused by a cystic parathyroid adenoma, with a brief review of the literature
Adenoma ; Calcium ; Constipation ; Female ; Humans ; Hypercalcemia ; Hyperparathyroidism ; Hyperparathyroidism, Primary* ; Hyperplasia ; Low Back Pain ; Neck ; Parathyroid Glands ; Parathyroid Hormone ; Parathyroid Neoplasms* ; Prevalence ; Thyroid Gland

BACKGROUND: To determine the prevalence and the associated factors of microalbuminuria in Korean subjects with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus. METHODS: A total of 304 patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus that visited Anam Hospital, Korea University Medical Center, were studied cross-sectionally for the presence of microalbuminuria and other micro- and macrovascular complications. Microalbuminuria was calculated by the amount of albumin excretion in the urine for 24 hrs (30-299 mg/24hr) or by the albumin creatinine ratio in a spot urine sample (30-299 mg/g creatinine). Subjects were divided into two groups: the normoalbuminuria group and the microalbuminuria group. RESULTS: The prevalence of microalbuminuria, normoalbuminuria and overt proteinuria in patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus was 17.1%, 80.3% and 2.6%. respectively. Microalbuminuria was significantly correlated with the body mass index (BMI), fasting insulin level, fasting C-peptide level and triglyceride level. The number of metabolic syndrome components was significantly correlated with the amount of microalbuminuria. In patients with microalbuminuria and without retinopathy, the correlation of microalbuminuria and the presence of metabolic syndrome was also significant. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of microalbuminuria in 304 Korean patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus was 17.1%, and microalbuminuria had a correlation with the BMI, fasting insulin level, fasting C-peptide level, HOMA level, triglyceride level and the presence of metabolic syndrome.
Academic Medical Centers ; Body Mass Index ; C-Peptide ; Creatinine ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2* ; Fasting ; Humans ; Insulin ; Korea* ; Prevalence* ; Proteinuria ; Triglycerides