The short term beneficial effect of arthroscopic excision of synovial tissue in knees with rheumatoid arthritis have been well documented. The purpose of this study to report the results of synovectomy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis who have been observed at least 3 years. We analysed the clinical result with modified Laurin criteria, radiologic change and patients own satisfaction degree with survey. The results were as follows; 1. The preoperative symptoms were pain (100%), swelling (100%), decreased range of motion (83%) and joint tenderness (74%), and those were improved postoperatively to 43%, 60%, 11%, 43% each other. 2. Among the laboratory parameters, C-reactive protein (CRP) was improved most significantly (pvalue =0.026). 3. On simple supine A-P X-rays, the width of medial joint space and lateral joint space were compared to preoperatively and postoperatively. The width of medial joint space was 4.33mm preoperatively, and it was changed to 3.22mm at last follow up (p=0.032). Those of lateral joint space was changed from 4.24mm preoperatively to 3.27mm at last tollow up (p=0.106). 4. The grade of articular cartilage damage was related with severity of preoperative symptoms and the patients with low grade of articular cartilage damage showed more postoperative improvement. The result of operation was related to symptom duration, degree of X-ray change and degree of cartilage damage. 5. 58% ot patients were satisfied to results of synovectomy, 28% were answered neither satisfied nor ansatisfied and 14% were unsatisf'ied to operation. We concluded the arthroscopic synovectomy of the knee joints was effective procedure to improve the clinical symptoms, range of knee motion and to alleviate the inflammatory reaction at mid-term period al'ter the operation. So we consider this procedure is a palliative treatment that modified and alleviate the progression of rheumatoid arthritis of knee joints.
Arthritis, Rheumatoid* ; C-Reactive Protein ; Cartilage ; Cartilage, Articular ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Joints ; Knee Joint* ; Knee* ; Palliative Care ; Range of Motion, Articular

PURPOSE: There are a few reports in the literature that deal with the results of total knee replacement arthroplasty in young rheumatoid arthritis patients. This study was undertaken to evaluate the results of total knee replacement arthroplasty in rheumatoid arthritis patients under the age of 45 years. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Between 1989 and 1993, 43 total knee replacement arthroplasties were performed in 26 adults with rheumatoid arthritis. The age at operation ranged from 23 to 45 years old (average 36.3 years). Of these, four patients (six knees) were lost to follow-up, so 37 knees in 22 patients were available for the follow-up evaluation at a mean 7.8 years (5-8.9). RESULTS: Preoperative flexion contracture was found in 33 knees (89.2%) among 37 knees and it was corrected by operation from 33.1 to 2.6 postoperatively. So the range of motion also improved by an average of 25.6 compare with preoperative state. At the time of final follow-up, six patients were free of pain and 15 patients had mild pain during weight-bearing state, but one patient, with loosening evidence complained of occasional moderate pain. The American Knee Society knee score was improved from a mean of 37.9 points preoperatively to 84.9 points postoperatively. There were 22 excellent, 14 good and one poor (loosening case) results. All patients were able to walk after the operation from 11 non-ambulators and 11 ambulators, assisted with a walking device in preoperative state. The average functional score also improved from 11.9 points to 86.8 points. Radiographic evaluation revealed a radiolucency rate of 43.2%, and revealed radiolucent line adjacent to 3 femoral and 15 tibial components. Almost all of the patients (91%) were satisfied with the result of operation, subjectively. Only one patient had a revision because of subsidency and loosening of a tibial prosthesis. CONCLUSIONS: We considered that total knee replacement arthroplasty for patients with rheumatoid arthritis and was less than 45 years old provided satisfactory and effective results.
Adult ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid* ; Arthroplasty* ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee* ; Contracture ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Knee ; Lost to Follow-Up ; Middle Aged ; Prostheses and Implants ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Walking ; Weight-Bearing

OBJECTIVES: While the Korean government’s response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is considered effective given the relatively low mortality rate, issues of inequality have been insufficiently addressed. This study explored COVID-19-related health inequalities in Korea. METHODS: Age standardization for various health inequality indices was derived using data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, and the Microdata Integrated Service of Statistics Korea. The slope index of inequality (SII) and relative index of inequality (RII) were calculated for socioeconomic variables, while absolute difference (AD) and relative difference (RD) were used for gender and disability inequalities. RESULTS: We observed a number of COVID-19-related health outcome inequalities. Gender inequality was particularly noticeable in infection rates, with the rate of women 1.16 times higher than that of men. In contrast, socioeconomic inequality was evident in vaccination rates, with a 4.5-fold (SII, -4.519; 95% confidence interval, -7.403 to -1.634) difference between the highest and lowest household income groups. Regarding clinical progression post-infection, consistent findings indicated higher risk for men (RD for hospitalization, 0.90; severe cases, 0.54; and fatality, 0.65), individuals with disabilities (RD for hospitalization, 2.27; severe cases, 2.29; and fatality, 2.37), and those from lower socioeconomic groups (SII for hospitalization, 1.778; severe cases, 0.089; and fatality, 0.451). CONCLUSIONS While the infection risk was nearly ubiquitous, not everyone faced the same level of risk post-infection. To prevent further health inequalities, it is crucial to develop a thoughtful policy acknowledging individual health conditions and resources.

Bilateral calcifications of the basal ganglia, the thalami, the dentate nuclei of the cerebellum, and the white matter of the cerebral hemisphere characterize Fahr's disease. The common clinical manifestations of the disease are movement disorders accompanied by cognitive impairment and mood disorder. Herein we report a case of Fahr's disease with atypical clinical manifestations. The patient was a 48 year-old man who presented with behavioral changes. His neurological examination showed no focal neurological deficits except for frontal dysfunctions. Abnormal involuntary movement was absent. Neuroimaging work-ups were compatible with Fahr's disease.
Basal Ganglia ; Cerebellum ; Cerebrum ; Dyskinesias ; Frontal Lobe* ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Mood Disorders ; Movement Disorders ; Neuroimaging ; Neurologic Examination

PURPOSE: This study was performed to compare the postoperative maximal flexion angle (MFA) of standard PCL-substituting (PS) prosthesis with that of high-flexion PS prosthesis after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 81 patients (133 knees) were enrolled in this study. Sixty-eight primary bilateral TKAs were performed in 34 consecutive patients. The bilateral TKAs were performed in a staged sequential manner, with a standard PS prosthesis in one knee and a high-flexion PS prosthesis in the contralateral knee. We also analyzed the results of another 47 patients as several control groups, and this consisted of standard or high-flexion PS total knee prostheses in the bilateral TKAs, and standard or high-flexion PS total knee prostheses in the unilateral TKAs. The patients were clinically assessed with the Knee Society scoring system and the MFA was measured with a goniometer. RESULTS: At the last follow up, the mean postoperative MFA of the 34 patients operated with the combination of different prostheses was 131.6+/-10.4degrees for high-flexion prosthesis side and 131.6+/-9.5degrees for standard prosthesis side respectively. There was no statistically significant difference. On comparing with the results of the 47 patients in the control group, no statistically significant difference in the mean postoperative MFA was found between the groups. CONCLUSION: We found no significant differences between the high-flexion PS prosthesis and the standard PS prosthesis in the postoperative MFA.
Arthroplasty ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Knee ; Knee Prosthesis ; Prostheses and Implants

We report a case of calcific bursitis of the shoulder in four-year-old boy who had severe pain and limitation of motion of the left shoulder joint for three days. Radiographs revealed the oval radiopaque lesion in the subacormial space, and the MR signal intensity of the mass was moderate on T2WI. Histological examination of the mass showed acute necrotizing inflammation with calcification.
Bursitis ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Male ; Shoulder ; Shoulder Joint

Background: Older adults are given high priority for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination; however, little is known about the safety of vaccines. This study was conducted to examine the safety of the COVID-19 vaccine for people who were ≥ 75 years of age, specifically those who first took two doses of the vaccine at the COVID-19 central vaccination center in South Korea. Methods: Safety monitoring after the BNT162b2 vaccine was conducted in three ways for older adults who received the first dose of the vaccine at our center between April 5 and April 23, 2021. For immediate adverse reactions, every person who was vaccinated was observed for 15–30 minutes after injection at the center. For active surveillance, a telephone interview was conducted for stratified randomly sampled people after 7 days of each vaccination to enquire regarding types of adverse reactions they experienced, and its severity and duration. For passive surveillance, reported adverse event data were collected from the COVID-19 vaccine adverse event following immunization (AEFI) surveillance system—run by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA). The data were then reviewed. Results: In total, 2,123 older adults received at least one vaccine dose during the study period. The frequency of acute adverse reactions that developed during the observed 15–30 minutes after injection was 8.5 cases per 1,000 doses. None of the reactions was assessed as acute allergic reactions to the vaccine and no cases required special treatment or drug administration. Overall, 638 people were followed up at least once by telephone interview 7 days post vaccination. The overall response rate was 82.3%. The rates of local reactions were 50.3% after the first dose and 45.2% after the second dose, and the rates of systemic reactions were 15.2% and 26.0%, respectively. During the study period, 23 medically attended adverse events (5.4 cases per 1,000 administered doses) were reported to the KDCA AEFI surveillance system. The most common symptoms of medically attended cases were nonspecific general weakness (26%) and dizziness (26%), followed by muscle pain (22%), headache (13%), fever (13%), and skin rash or urticaria (13%). Among them, there were five serious adverse events reported, which required hospitalization, including one death. However, most of them were not related to the vaccines. Conclusion BNT162b2 vaccination was tolerable among adults who were ≥ 75 years of age.

PURPOSE: This study was performed to determine new criteria for performing lateral retinacular release (LRR) without having a detrimental effect on patellar tracking. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For 17 patients who underwent bilateral TKAs, LRR was not performed at one side (A) due to improvement of patellar tracking after deflation of tourniquet although maltracking existed with the inflation of tourniquet. At the other side (B), LRR was not performed either because patellar tracking improved with one stich method although maltracking existed regardless of tourniquet status. We measured the lateral patellar tilt angle (LPTA) of each side inthose 17 patients after 1 year after TKAs and compared them. We also surveyed the incidence of LRR in 225 primary TKAs with the staged method of patellar tracking evaluation during the same period. RESULTS: The average LPTA was 3.4degrees at side (A) and 4.6degrees at side (B) respectively. There was no significant difference in LPTA between side (A) and side (B) (p=0.337). From the survey for incidence of LRR in 225 primary TKAs during the same period, LRR was not required in 19% of patients showing good patellar tracking with inflation of tourniquet, 58% of patients showing improved patellar tracking after deflation of tourniquet and 21% of patients showing improved patellar tracking by one stitch method regardless of tourniquet status. Consequently, only 2% of patients required LRR in primary TKA. CONCLUSION: One stitch method under the deflation of tourniquet in evaluating process of patellar tracking during primary TKAs is supposed to be very effective and to reduce the incidence of LRR to only 2% without influencing the LPTA.
Humans ; Incidence ; Inflation, Economic ; Knee ; Thumb ; Tourniquets ; Track and Field

OBJECTIVE: To study the prevalence, indications, and outcome of cesarean hysterectomy in women delivered at the Gil Medical Center, Gacheon Medical School. METHOD: This is a retrospective study of all cases of cesarean hysterectomy performed between January 1995 and December 1999. RESULTS: The incidence of cesarean hysterectomy was 0.4% (122/31,481). Cesarean hysterectomy was performed in 100 of 17,829 cesarean sections (0.6%) and in 22 of 13,652 vaginal deliveries(0.2%). The higher the age and the parity of patients, the higher the incidence of cesarean hysterectomy was noted. The most common indication of cesarean hysterectomy was uterine atony(50 cases, 41.9%), followed by 25 cases of placenta previa with adhesive placenta(20.5%), 14 cases of adhesive placenta(11.5%), 11 cases of uterine myoma with pregnancy(9.0%), 9 cases of uncontrolled bleeding with placenta previa(7.4%), 7 cases of uterine rupture(5.7%) and 6 cases of extension of uterine incision(4.9%). All patients who had cesarean hysterectomy received transfusion from 0 pint to 78 pints. Live births were 115 cases(94.3%) and 3 infants were still birth(2.5%). Four infants were dead during early neonatal period(3.3%), so perinatal mortality rate was 5.7%. The postoperative complications were bladder injury, ureteral injury, febrile morbidity, disseminated intravascular coagulopathy, hematoma, wound disruption, postpartum cardiomyopathy, and vaginal stump bleeding. There was two maternal deaths due to acute, severe hemorrhage and DIC. CONCLUSIONS: Cesarean hysterectomy remains a necessary procedure for life saving during abdominal and vaginal deliveries. The procedure itself is usually associated with considerable perioperative morbidity. Obstetricians should identify patients at risk and anticipate the procedure and complications.
Adhesives ; Cardiomyopathies ; Cesarean Section ; Dacarbazine ; Female ; Hematoma ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hysterectomy* ; Incidence ; Infant ; Leiomyoma ; Live Birth ; Maternal Death ; Parity ; Perinatal Mortality ; Placenta ; Placenta Previa ; Postoperative Complications ; Postpartum Period ; Pregnancy ; Prevalence ; Retrospective Studies ; Schools, Medical ; Ureter ; Urinary Bladder ; Uterine Inertia ; Wounds and Injuries

BACKGROUND: Currently, the incidence of hepatitis A is on the increase in Korea. Although there is emphasis on contact precautions, the nosocomial outbreak of hepatitis A virus (HAV) in healthcare personnel has increased within endemic areas because these workers inevitably come in close contact with patients and work under suboptimal hygiene conditions. In this study, we evaluated the necessity of immunization against HAV for healthcare personnel. METHODS: We investigated the seropositivity of serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) anti-HAV antibody (Ab) in 672 healthcare personnel on the basis of their age-group, sex, and occupation in Soon Chun Hyang University Hospital and Soon Chun Hyang University Bucheon Hospital. RESULTS: The subjects were divided into 6 groups on the basis of their ages to identify differences among the various age groups in the number of cases with HAV Ab seropositivity. Significant intergroup differences were noted in this respect: 21-25 years, 2/152 (1.3%); 26-30 years, 33/245 (13.5%); 31-35 years, 70/148 (47.3%); 36-40 years, 52/79 (65.8%); >40 years, 44/48 (91.7%). CONCLUSION: The number of seropositive cases was low among young healthy personnel: low seropositivity is an emerging risk for vulnerable population. With the increase in the incidence of hepatitis A, healthcare personnel have become a risk population for hepatitis A, as are community residents. Therefore, for healthcare personnel working in hospitals, immunization against HAV should be recommended for personnel younger than 30 years, and serological testing for older personnel.
Delivery of Health Care ; Hepatitis ; Hepatitis A ; Hepatitis A Antibodies ; Hepatitis A Vaccines ; Hepatitis A virus ; Humans ; Hygiene ; Immunization ; Immunoglobulin G ; Incidence ; Korea ; Occupations ; Serologic Tests ; Vulnerable Populations