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This study was performed to assess the recurrence rate and the factors related with the recurrence of leprosy and to use the data obtained from the present study for the basis for the prevention of leprosy, among those leprosy patients who were registered and managed by a Catholic Skin Clinic located in the Taegu metropolitan city between January of 1960 to October of 1999. We conducted the present study with 1,245 leprosy patients except 31 who were being treated for active leprosy. Using a structured record sheet, the data were collected using the chart of the patient, and the collected data were analyzed using SPSS program ver 9.0 and Fisher's exact test and chi-square-test was performed. Among 1,245 subjects, the sex distribution was 690 males (55.4%) and 555 females (44.6%). The age at the time of initial occurrence of leprosy was the most prevalent in patients' teen years with 528 patients(42.3%) followed by in their 20's with 366 patients (29.3%). The most prevalent type of leprosy at the initial occurrence of leprosy was type L with 730 patients(58.6%), and the condition of the bacteria at the time of initial occurrence of leprosy was negative in 509 patients(40.8%) and positive in 285 patients(22.9%). The overall recurrence rate was 13.2%. According to gender, males showed the recurrence rate of 15.7% and females 10.1%, showing a higher recurrence rate in males. The recurrence rate according to the type of leprosy was 31.6% of I type with the most prevalence. Among those patients who were initially diagnosed with mycobacterium leprae, 21.1% showed recurrence, and the recurrence rate was significantly higher than in negative mycobacterium leprae patients with 3.3%. The recurrence rate according to the age of initial occurrence of leprosy was the highest in those patients who developed leprosy in their teen years with 17.2%, followed by those who had leprosy in between 20-29 years with 13.4%. According to the administered medication, among those 152 patients who took DDS alone, showed 90.8% recurrence rate; among 1,009 patients took in DDS and switched to MDT, 2.5% showed recurrence; and among patients who were treated with MDT, only 1.2% showed recurrence with the lowest level of recurrence rate. With these results, in the case of DDS treatment cases, in male patients, the positive mycobacterium leprae patients at the time of initial occurrence of leprosy, the type of leprosy being I, and the age of the initial occurrence of leprosy being low; it is important to raise the compliance through education and follow-up. In the future, extensive and in-depth studies are needed to be done in the recurrence of leprosy to elucidate the factors of recurrence and the plans to prevent recurrence need to be established from the public health and policy areas.
Adolescent ; Bacteria ; Compliance ; Daegu ; Education ; Female ; Humans ; Leprosy* ; Male ; Mycobacterium leprae ; Prevalence ; Public Health ; Recurrence* ; Sex Distribution ; Skin

This study was performed to assess the recurrence rate and the factors related with the recurrence of leprosy and to use the data obtained from the present study for the basis for the prevention of leprosy, among those leprosy patients who were registered and managed by a Catholic Skin Clinic located in the Taegu metropolitan city between January of 1960 to October of 1999. We conducted the present study with 1,245 leprosy patients except 31 who were being treated for active leprosy. Using a structured record sheet, the data were collected using the chart of the patient, and the collected data were analyzed using SPSS program ver 9.0 and Fisher's exact test and chi-square-test was performed. Among 1,245 subjects, the sex distribution was 690 males (55.4%) and 555 females (44.6%). The age at the time of initial occurrence of leprosy was the most prevalent in patients' teen years with 528 patients(42.3%) followed by in their 20's with 366 patients (29.3%). The most prevalent type of leprosy at the initial occurrence of leprosy was type L with 730 patients(58.6%), and the condition of the bacteria at the time of initial occurrence of leprosy was negative in 509 patients(40.8%) and positive in 285 patients(22.9%). The overall recurrence rate was 13.2%. According to gender, males showed the recurrence rate of 15.7% and females 10.1%, showing a higher recurrence rate in males. The recurrence rate according to the type of leprosy was 31.6% of I type with the most prevalence. Among those patients who were initially diagnosed with mycobacterium leprae, 21.1% showed recurrence, and the recurrence rate was significantly higher than in negative mycobacterium leprae patients with 3.3%. The recurrence rate according to the age of initial occurrence of leprosy was the highest in those patients who developed leprosy in their teen years with 17.2%, followed by those who had leprosy in between 20-29 years with 13.4%. According to the administered medication, among those 152 patients who took DDS alone, showed 90.8% recurrence rate; among 1,009 patients took in DDS and switched to MDT, 2.5% showed recurrence; and among patients who were treated with MDT, only 1.2% showed recurrence with the lowest level of recurrence rate. With these results, in the case of DDS treatment cases, in male patients, the positive mycobacterium leprae patients at the time of initial occurrence of leprosy, the type of leprosy being I, and the age of the initial occurrence of leprosy being low; it is important to raise the compliance through education and follow-up. In the future, extensive and in-depth studies are needed to be done in the recurrence of leprosy to elucidate the factors of recurrence and the plans to prevent recurrence need to be established from the public health and policy areas.
Adolescent ; Bacteria ; Compliance ; Daegu ; Education ; Female ; Humans ; Leprosy* ; Male ; Mycobacterium leprae ; Prevalence ; Public Health ; Recurrence* ; Sex Distribution ; Skin

PURPOSE: To evaluate the stability of corneal endothelial cells after ICL (implantable contact lens) implantation. METHODS: Retrospective review of 50 eyes were subjected to implantation of ICL by one surgeon from December 2003 to April 2008. During the follow-up period, the number of eyes with regular follow-up decreased and remained at 18 eyes at the time of a three-year follow-up. Patients were examined preoperatively and at one, three, and six months and one, two, and three years postoperatively. The main outcome measures were the change in corneal endothelial cell density (CD), coefficient of variation (CV), and hexagonality (HA). This analysis was done in all eyes and especially in the 18 eyes with regular follow-up for three years and 11 eyes with changes in CV and HA corresponding to the normal endothelial wound healing process for three years. RESULTS: Corneal endothelial CD, CV, and HA were not significantly changed compared with their preoperative values throughout the three-year follow-up period for all eyes. In the early postoperative period, there was a slight decrease in CD, but it increased after the second year of follow-up (range: -3.12%~+2.84%); there was a slight increase in CV, but it decreased after the six-month follow-up (-6.63%~+5.56%); and there was a slight decrease in HA, but it increased after the three-month follow-up (range: -0.88%~10.64%). Similarly, there were no significant changes in corneal endothelial cell density in the 18 eyes with regular follow-up or the 11 eyes with changes in CV and HA corresponding to normal endothelial wound healing process for three years. CONCLUSIONS: The results show stability of corneal endothelial cells after ICL implantation.
Endothelial Cells ; Eye ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Outcome Assessment (Health Care) ; Postoperative Period ; Retrospective Studies ; Wound Healing

A study on changes of serum HDL-cholesterol level in various diseased states was performed. Diseased groups were nephrotic syndrome, liver cirrhosis, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism and chronic alcoholism. Following results were obtained. 1) Compared to normal control group, levels of HDL-cholesterol in nephrotic syndrome were lower but the difference was significant statistically. 2) In liver cirrhosis, the result showed much lower levels than normal control group with high significance. 3) In both hyper-and hypothyroidism group, the levels of HDL-cholesterol were significantly lower than normal control group. 4) In chronic alcoholism, the levels were significantly higher than normal control group. 5) Except for the group of chronic alcoholism, the levels of HDL- cholesterol were higher in female groups than male groups, but was of no significance statistically.
Alcoholism ; Cholesterol ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperthyroidism ; Hypothyroidism ; Liver Cirrhosis ; Male ; Nephrotic Syndrome

Although the same traumatic stress was experienced, the presenting symptoms and their severity might be different. The difference could be associated with the coping style. Thus we were interested in which coping style is more efficient in dealing with stress. Among the 624 survivors of Sampoong Accident we selected active coping group(n=67) and passive coping group(n=63) using the Ways of Coping Checklist. These two groups were compared on scores in Beck Depression Inventory, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Impact of Event Scale, MMPI, and 16 Personality Factor Questionnaire. The passive coping group reported that they were more anxious and depressive, and they showed more intrusive thought about traumatic stress, denial, and vulnerable factors of personality than active coping group. These results suggest that active coping style such as problem-focused coping and seeking social supports is more efficient and successful in case as Sampoong Accident. Therefore, for the survivors of extremely traumatic accident, training of active coping skills can be helpful for rehabilitation and adaptation in everyday life.
Adaptation, Psychological ; Anxiety ; Checklist ; Denial (Psychology) ; Depression ; Humans ; MMPI ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Rehabilitation ; Survivors*

OBJECTIVE: Dementia is major neuropsychiatic disorder in the elderly. This study was aimed to investigate the prevalence of dementia and provide fundamental data for community mental health programs. METHOD: 500 elderly people aged 65 years and over in Kwachon were interviewed according to DSM-IV and examined MMSE-K, Korea-Dementia Rating Scale (K-DRS), Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR), Modified Hatchinski Ischemic Scale (MHIS) by trained research assistants. RESULTS: Prevalence of dementia is 10.6% (Alzheimer type 8.0%;vascular type 2.6%). Old age, lower education, cardiovascular disease, head trauma and heavy smoking seem to be risk factors for developing dementia but sex difference is non significant. CONCLUSION: The results showed similar prevalence rates compared to other epidemiological studies. Demented group showed more cognitive disturbances than non-demented one. For patients of dementia, appropriate treatment and management by family members, other caregivers and mental health professionals are needed.
Aged ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Caregivers ; Craniocerebral Trauma ; Dementia* ; Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders ; Education ; Epidemiologic Studies* ; Epidemiology ; Gyeonggi-do ; Humans ; Korea* ; Mental Health ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Sex Characteristics ; Smoke ; Smoking

OBJECTIVE: Depression in the elderly is a major health concern that can be life threatening if not recognized and treated. Despite considerable interest, there in no consensus regarding the prevalence of depression in later life. This study was aimed to investigate the prevalence of major depressive disorder in the population over age 65 years and provide fundamental data for community mental health programs. METHOD: 500 elderly people aged over 65 years and oner in Kwachon were interviewed according to DSM-IV and examined Geriatric Depression Scale(GDS), Korea Depression Scale(KDS), MMSE-K, Korea-Dementia Rating Scale(K-DRS), etc. by trained researchers. RESULTS: Of the sample, prevalence of mild, moderate and severe depressive symptoms are 18.8%, 7.4%, and 17.8%, respectively. Prevalence of major depressive disorder is found to be 7.8%. There is no significant differences between depressive & non-depressive groups in the sociodemographic variables such as sex, age, education, family type, etc. Major depressive disorder is associated with physical illness, stressful life events, and cognitive dysfunction. CONCLUSION: The results showed similar prevalence rates to other epidemiological studies. Depressed group showed more psychological distress, stressful life events and cognitive dysfunctions than non-depressed group. Accurate and early diagnosis and adequate treatment favor a good prognosis.
Aged ; Consensus ; Depression* ; Depressive Disorder, Major ; Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders ; Early Diagnosis ; Education ; Epidemiologic Studies* ; Epidemiology ; Gyeonggi-do ; Humans ; Korea* ; Mental Health ; Prevalence ; Prognosis

We measured the blood flow velocity of the anterior cerebral artery via anterior fontanelle approach of fifty five preterm neonates with duplex Doppler sonography and analyzed the waveform and calculated pulsatility index were increased with increasing gestational age, birth weight, and age of the neonate, but resistive indices decreased. In sick babies, characteristic resistive index increment were seen in patients with intraventricular hemorrhage, but no statistical difference was seen in patients with respiratory distress syndrome. Our results suggest that duplex Doppler sonography is a use ful noninvasive means of monitoring cerebrohemodynamics in normal pretem neonates and flow change of sick babies.
Infant ; Male ; Female ; Infant, Newborn ; Humans

BACKGROUND: The incidence of mycoplasmal pneumonia is predominantly at childhood and early adulthood, but in adults, its incidence is low and its symptoms and physical findings are nonspecific. The definite diagnosis of M. pneumoniae pneumonia can be made by sputum culture, but requires several weeks for positive results, and the early diagnosis must initially be based on the serologic tests and appropriate clinical findings. Thus, we evaluated the clinical aspects of M. pneumoniae pneumonia in the adults patients. METHOD: Among the admitted patients due to pneumonia, the definite diagnosis is anti-M. pneumoniae antibody titer of > 1:40 and a single cold agglutinin titer of > 1:64. The presumptive diagnosis is anti-M. pneumoniae antibody titer of > 1:40 or a single cold agglutinin titer of > 1:64 and the clinical characteristics or chest X-ray findings are compatible with M. pneumoniae pneumonia. We studied the age and sex distribution, seasonal distribution, clinical symptoms, physical findings, serologic test, chest X-ray findings, treatment and its progression. RESULTS: 1) The age distribution was even and the ratio of male to female was 1:1. 2) The monthly distribution was most common in January(16.7%) and the seasonal distribution in autumn and winter(autumn: 30%, winter: 33.3%). 3) The cold agglutinin titers were higher than 1:64 in 12 cases(40%), and reached the peak level around 2 weeks from onset and antimycoplasma antibody titers were higher than 1:160 in 5 cases(16.7%). 4) On the chest X-ray, pulmonary infiltration was noted in 28 cases(93.3%) among 30 cases and right lower lobe involvement was the most common(33.3%) and both lower lobe involvement was noted in 7 cases(23.3%). 5) The mean treatment duration was most common(33.3%) in 1 week to 2 weeks after admission and 26 cases(86.7%) were improved within 4 weeks. 6) On admission, there was fever(> or =38.9degreesC) in 17 cases(56.7%), and the fever subsided in 12 cases(70%) within 3 days after treatment using erythromycin. CONCLUSION: The mycoplasmal pneumonia in adults shows milder clinical patterns than that in childhood and can be completely recovered without complication by early diagnosis and treatment.
Adult* ; Age Distribution ; Diagnosis ; Early Diagnosis ; Erythromycin ; Female ; Fever ; Hospital Distribution Systems ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Pneumonia* ; Seasons ; Serologic Tests ; Sex Distribution ; Sputum ; Thorax