PURPOSE: We aimed to assess whether nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy (nsRP) is associated with improved recovery of urinary continence compared to non-nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy (nnsRP) in patients with localized prostate cancer and preoperative erectile dysfunction. METHODS: A total of 360 patients with organ-confined prostate cancer and an International Index of Erectile Function score of less than 17 were treated with nsRP or nnsRP in Seoul St. Mary's Hospital. Patients who received neoadjuvant or adjuvant androgen deprivation therapy or had a history of prostate-related surgery were excluded. Recovery of urinary continence was assessed at 0, 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. Postoperative recovery of continence was defined as zero pad usage. The association between nerve-sparing status and urinary continence was assessed by using univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses after controlling for known predictive factors. RESULTS: Urinary continence recovered in 279 patients (77.5%) within the mean follow-up period of 22.5 months (range, 6-123 months). Recovery of urinary continence was reported in 74.6% and 86.4% of patients after nnsRP and nsRP, respectively, at 12 months (P=0.022). All groups had comparable perioperative criteria and had no significant preoperative morbidities. Age, American Society of Anesthesiologists score, and nerve-sparing status were significantly associated with recovery of urinary continence on univariate analysis. On multivariate analysis, age (hazard ratio [HR], 1.254; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.002-1.478; P=0.026) and nerve-sparing status (HR, 0.713; 95% CI, 0.548-0.929; P=0.012) were independently associated with recovery of urinary continence. CONCLUSIONS: nsRP, as compared to nnsRP, improves recovery rates of urinary incontinence and decreases surgical morbidity without compromising pathologic outcomes.
Erectile Dysfunction* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Multivariate Analysis ; Prostatectomy* ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; Seoul ; Urinary Incontinence

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to evaluate the feasibility of a sodium reduction program at local restaurants through nutrition education and examination of the health of restaurant owners and cooks. SUBJECTS/METHODS: The study was a single-arm pilot intervention using a pre-post design in one business district with densely populated restaurants in Seoul, South Korea. The intervention focused on improving nutrition behaviors and psychosocial factors through education, health examination, and counseling of restaurant personnel. Forty-eight restaurant owners and cooks completed the baseline survey and participated in the intervention. Forty participants completed the post-intervention survey. RESULTS: The overweight and obesity prevalences were 25.6% and 39.5%, respectively, and 74.4% of participants had elevated blood pressure. After health examination, counseling, and nutrition education, several nutrition behaviors related to sodium intake showed improvement. In addition, those who consumed less salt in their baseline diet (measured with urine dipsticks) were more likely to agree that providing healthy foods to their customers is necessary. This study demonstrated the potential to reduce the sodium contents of restaurant foods by improving restaurant owners' and cooks' psychological factors and their own health behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: This small pilot study demonstrated that working with restaurant owners and cooks to improve their own health and sodium intake may have an effect on participation in restaurant-based sodium reduction initiatives. Future intervention studies with a larger sample size and comparison group can focus on improving the health and perceptions of restaurant personnel in order to increase the feasibility and efficacy of restaurant-based sodium reduction programs and policies.
Blood Pressure ; Commerce ; Counseling ; Diet ; Education ; Health Behavior ; Health Education ; Korea* ; Nutrition Policy ; Obesity ; Overweight ; Pilot Projects* ; Prevalence ; Psychology ; Restaurants* ; Sample Size ; Seoul ; Sodium* ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Celiac disease is an intestinal autoimmune disorder, triggered by ingestion of a gluten-containing diet in genetically susceptible individuals. The genetic predisposition is related to human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II genes, especially HLA-DQ2-positive patients. The prevalence of celiac disease has been estimated to be ~1% in Europe and the USA, but it is rarer and/or underdiagnosed in Asia. We report a case of celiac disease in a predisposed patient, with a HLA-DQ2 heterodimer, and Graves' disease that was treated successfully with a gluten-free diet. A 47-year-old woman complained of persistent chronic diarrhea and weight loss over a 9 month period. Results of all serological tests and stool exams were negative. However, the patient was found to carry the HLA DQ2 heterodimer. Symptoms improved after a gluten-free diet was initiated. The patient has been followed and has suffered no recurrence of symptoms while on the gluten-free diet. An overall diagnosis of celiac disease was made in a genetically predisposed patient (HLA-DQ2 heterodimer) with Graves' disease.
Asia ; Celiac Disease* ; Diagnosis ; Diarrhea ; Diet ; Diet, Gluten-Free ; Eating ; Europe ; Female ; Genes, MHC Class II ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Graves Disease* ; Humans ; Leukocytes ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Recurrence ; Serologic Tests ; Weight Loss

A macroinvasive pituitary adenoma with plurihormonality usually causes acromegaly and hyperprolactinemia, and also accompanies with neurologic symptoms such as visual disturbances. However, its concurrent presentation with a rectal carcinoid tumor is rarely observed. This study reports the history, biochemical, colonoscopic and immunohistochemical results of a 48-year-old female with acromegaly and hyperprolactinemia. Despite the large size and invasive nature of the pituitary adenoma to adjacent anatomical structures, she did not complain of any neurologic symptoms such as visual disturbance or headache. Immunohistochemical staining of the surgical specimen from the pituitary adenoma revealed that the tumor cells were positive for growth hormone (GH), prolactin (PRL), and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). Staining for pituitary-specific transcription factor-1 (Pit-1) was shown to be strongly positive, which could have been possibly contributing to the plurihormonality of this adenoma. Colonoscopy found a rectal polyp that was identified to be a carcinoid tumor using immunohistochemical staining. A macroinvasive pituitary adenoma with concomitant rectal carcinoid tumor was secreting GH, PRL, and TSH, which were believed to be in association with over-expression of Pit-1. This is the first case report of double primary tumors comprising a plurihormonal pituitary macroadenoma and rectal carcinoid tumor.
Acromegaly* ; Adenoma ; Carcinoid Tumor* ; Colonoscopy ; Female ; Growth Hormone ; Headache ; Humans ; Hyperprolactinemia ; Middle Aged ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Pituitary Neoplasms* ; Polyps ; Prolactin ; Thyrotropin

BACKGROUND: Intima-media thickness (IMT) of the carotid arteries is known to have a positive correlation with the risk of cardiovascular disease. This study was designed to identify risk factors affecting the progression of carotid IMT in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODS: Patients with newly diagnosed T2DM with carotid IMT measurements were enrolled, and their clinical data and carotid IMT results at baseline and 2 years later were compared. RESULTS: Of the 171 patients, 67.2% of males and 50.8% of females had abnormal baseline IMT of the left common carotid artery. At baseline, systolic blood pressure, body mass index and smoking in male participants, and fasting plasma glucose and glycated hemoglobin levels in females were significantly higher in patients with abnormal IMT than in those with normal IMT. Low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels in males and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels in females at the 2-year follow-up were significantly different between the nonprogression and the progression groups. Reduction of the United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study (UKPDS) 10-year coronary heart disease (CHD) risk score after 2 years was generally higher in the nonprogression group than the progression group. CONCLUSION: LDL-C levels in males and HDL-C levels in females at the 2-year follow-up were significantly different between participants with and without progression of carotid IMT. Furthermore, a reduction in the UKPDS 10-year CHD risk score appeared to delay the advancement of atherosclerosis. Therefore, the importance of establishing the therapeutic goal of lipid profiles should be emphasized to prevent the progression of carotid IMT in newly diagnosed T2DM patients.
Atherosclerosis ; Blood Pressure ; Blood Glucose ; Body Mass Index ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Carotid Arteries ; Carotid Artery, Common ; Cholesterol ; Cholesterol, HDL ; Cholesterol, LDL ; Coronary Disease ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; Fasting ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies* ; Hemoglobin A, Glycosylated ; Humans ; Lipoproteins ; Male ; Risk Factors* ; Smoking

BACKGROUND: Intima-media thickness (IMT) of the carotid arteries is known to have a positive correlation with the risk of cardiovascular disease. This study was designed to identify risk factors affecting the progression of carotid IMT in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODS: Patients with newly diagnosed T2DM with carotid IMT measurements were enrolled, and their clinical data and carotid IMT results at baseline and 2 years later were compared. RESULTS: Of the 171 patients, 67.2% of males and 50.8% of females had abnormal baseline IMT of the left common carotid artery. At baseline, systolic blood pressure, body mass index and smoking in male participants, and fasting plasma glucose and glycated hemoglobin levels in females were significantly higher in patients with abnormal IMT than in those with normal IMT. Low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels in males and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels in females at the 2-year follow-up were significantly different between the nonprogression and the progression groups. Reduction of the United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study (UKPDS) 10-year coronary heart disease (CHD) risk score after 2 years was generally higher in the nonprogression group than the progression group. CONCLUSION: LDL-C levels in males and HDL-C levels in females at the 2-year follow-up were significantly different between participants with and without progression of carotid IMT. Furthermore, a reduction in the UKPDS 10-year CHD risk score appeared to delay the advancement of atherosclerosis. Therefore, the importance of establishing the therapeutic goal of lipid profiles should be emphasized to prevent the progression of carotid IMT in newly diagnosed T2DM patients.
Atherosclerosis ; Blood Pressure ; Blood Glucose ; Body Mass Index ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Carotid Arteries ; Carotid Artery, Common ; Cholesterol ; Cholesterol, HDL ; Cholesterol, LDL ; Coronary Disease ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; Fasting ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies* ; Hemoglobin A, Glycosylated ; Humans ; Lipoproteins ; Male ; Risk Factors* ; Smoking

BACKGROUND: Recently, a hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level of 6.5% has been determined to be a criterion for diabetes mellitus (DM), and it is a widely used marker for the diagnosis of DM. However, HbA1c may be influenced by a number of factors. Anemia is one of the most prevalent diseases with an influence on HbA1c; however, its effect on HbA1c varies based on the variable pathophysiology of anemia. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of anemia on HbA1c levels. METHODS: Anemic subjects (n=112) and age- and sex-matched controls (n=217) who were drug naive and suspected of having DM were enrolled. The subjects underwent an oral glucose tolerance test and HbA1c simultaneously. We compared mean HbA1c and its sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing DM between each subgroup. RESULTS: Clinical characteristics were found to be similar between each subgroup. Also, when glucose levels were within the normal range, the difference in mean HbA1c was not significant (P=0.580). However, when plasma glucose levels were above the diagnostic cutoff for prediabetes and DM, the mean HbA1c of the anemic subgroup was modestly higher than in the nonanemic group. The specificity of HbA1c for diagnosis of DM was significantly lower in the anemic subgroup (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the diagnostic significance of HbA1c might be limited in anemic patients.
Anemia ; Blood Glucose ; Diabetes Mellitus* ; Glucose Tolerance Test ; Hemoglobin A, Glycosylated* ; Humans ; Prediabetic State ; Reference Values ; Sensitivity and Specificity

BACKGROUND: Recently, a hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level of 6.5% has been determined to be a criterion for diabetes mellitus (DM), and it is a widely used marker for the diagnosis of DM. However, HbA1c may be influenced by a number of factors. Anemia is one of the most prevalent diseases with an influence on HbA1c; however, its effect on HbA1c varies based on the variable pathophysiology of anemia. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of anemia on HbA1c levels. METHODS: Anemic subjects (n=112) and age- and sex-matched controls (n=217) who were drug naive and suspected of having DM were enrolled. The subjects underwent an oral glucose tolerance test and HbA1c simultaneously. We compared mean HbA1c and its sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing DM between each subgroup. RESULTS: Clinical characteristics were found to be similar between each subgroup. Also, when glucose levels were within the normal range, the difference in mean HbA1c was not significant (P=0.580). However, when plasma glucose levels were above the diagnostic cutoff for prediabetes and DM, the mean HbA1c of the anemic subgroup was modestly higher than in the nonanemic group. The specificity of HbA1c for diagnosis of DM was significantly lower in the anemic subgroup (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the diagnostic significance of HbA1c might be limited in anemic patients.
Anemia ; Blood Glucose ; Diabetes Mellitus* ; Glucose Tolerance Test ; Hemoglobin A, Glycosylated* ; Humans ; Prediabetic State ; Reference Values ; Sensitivity and Specificity

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to analyze the gender factors associated with good or bad prognosis after return of spontaneous circulation after out-of hospital cardiac arrest. METHODS: The patients admitted to the intensive care unit after successful resuscitation after out-of hospital cardiac arrest were retrospectively identified and evaluated. Thirty days mortality after admission, and neurologic outcome at 6 months after hospital discharge (cerebral performance category [CPC]) were evaluated. RESULTS: One hundred forty-two patients were evaluated in this study; there were 101 males (71.1%). The median age was 52 years old (43-63). Thirty days after admission, 85 patients (59.9%) survived, 40 patients had a good neurologic outcome (CPC 1-2). The factors associated 30 days mortality were cause of arrest (non-cardiac, p = 0.03), lactate in emergency department (p = 0.05) and the factors associated with good neurologic outcome were males (p = 0.007), young age (p = 0.01), body weight and height (p = 0.001), cause of death (cardiac, p = 0.000). Alcohols and smoking were not associated with mortality and neurologic outcome. In multiple logistic regression analysis, men had a 8-fold increased good neurologic outcome (CPC 1-2) (odds ratio [OR] 8.038, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 1.079-59.903). Other factors associated with good neurologic outcome were cardiac cause of death (OR 5.523, 95% CI 1.562-19.533) and young age (OR 1.055, 95% CI 1.009-1.103). CONCLUSIONS: Men had a good neurologic outcome after return of spontaneous circulation after out-of hospital cardiac arrest in one emergency center. Other additional factors including gonadal hormones should be evaluated.
Alcohols ; Body Weight ; Cause of Death ; Emergencies ; Gonadal Hormones ; Heart Arrest ; Humans ; Intensive Care Units ; Lactic Acid ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest ; Prognosis ; Resuscitation ; Retrospective Studies ; Smoke ; Smoking

BACKGROUND: The AdvanSure TB/NTM real-time PCR kit (AdvanSure) was newly developed in Korea to detect Mycobacterium tuberculosis and nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) utilizing a specific primer and TaqMan probe targeting the IS6110 and rpoB genes which are unique to these species. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the clinical utility of AdvanSure by comparing the results of acid-fast staining, mycobacteria culture, COBAS Amplicor MTB PCR (Amplicor), and AdvanSure. METHODS: A total of 182 specimens (105 respiratory and 77 nonrespiratory specimens) were obtained from 165 patients, and acid fast bacilli (AFB) staining, mycobacteria culture, and Amplicor were performed on all specimens. AdvanSure was also performed on the above specimens using the SLAN real-time PCR detection system. The sensitivity and specificity of AdvanSure were analyzed using AFB staining and culture. RESULTS: Of the 182 specimens, M. tuberculosis was detected in 43 specimens and NTM was detected in 12 specimens according to PCR and/or culture. The sensitivity and specificity of the AdvanSure based on AFB culture were 97.3% (36/37) and 95.5% (127/133) in M. tuberculosis and 75.0% (9/12) and 100% (0/133) in NTM, respectively. CONCLUSION: AdvanSure could be useful for detecting M. tuberculosis and NTM in the clinical laboratory with high sensitivity and specificity.
Humans ; Korea ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis ; Nontuberculous Mycobacteria ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Tuberculosis