Given that household food security issues have become the concern of the Korean society, this study aimed to develop food security measures for the Korean population. Based on the literature reviews on previously developed food security measures, the 18-item US household food security survey module (US HFSSM) was adapted. The developed food security measures was assessed by qualitative validity method. It was evaluated and modified by face validity by expert focus groups belong to university, public health center, and government agencies and by cognitive interview by 40 subjects with low household income who live in an urban community and are participants in welfare programs of local districts. Then, it was reviewed and revised by the National Institute of the Korean Language and the advisory committee for nutrition survey of Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). The results showed that the developed questionnaire items were well adapted by expert focus groups and general subjects, showing the feasibility of measuring food security with the developed measures although there were discrepancies in some expressions of questionnaire items between experts focus groups and general subjects. The study to assess reliability and quantitative validity of the developed food security measures should be further needed to examine its application for KNHANES.
Advisory Committees ; Family Characteristics ; Focus Groups ; Food Supply ; Government Agencies ; Nutrition Surveys ; Public Health ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Modified electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) which started in 1950s is a safe and efficacious treatment for several mental disorders including mood disorders and psychotic disorders. However, its usage in present days is still limited by misconceptions and stigmata of ECT. This paper overviews the background from which the stigmata of ECT stemmed and the current status of stigmata surrounding ECT among the public and medical professionals. In addition, a few potential strategies for reducing stigmata of ECT are provided in this review.

Modified electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) which started in 1950s is a safe and efficacious treatment for several mental disorders including mood disorders and psychotic disorders. However, its usage in present days is still limited by misconceptions and stigmata of ECT. This paper overviews the background from which the stigmata of ECT stemmed and the current status of stigmata surrounding ECT among the public and medical professionals. In addition, a few potential strategies for reducing stigmata of ECT are provided in this review.

Malignant hyperthermia is a rare, fatal pharmacogenetic disorder that occurs during general anesthesia following exposure to a depolarizing muscle relaxant, such as succinylcholine, or volatile anesthetics. Clinical findings in malignant hyperthermia include muscle rigidity, sinus tachycardia, increased CO2 production, skin cyanosis with mottling, and marked hyperthermia. For treatment, cooling techniques must be accompanied by discontinuation of the provocative medication. Furthermore, dantrolene administration is the mainstay of treatment for malignant hyperthermia, and should be initiated as soon as the diagnosis is suspected. We recently experienced a case with post-operative fever of 41.0degrees C refractory to conventional anti-pyretic measures and finally resolved with dantrolene administration, in a patient with methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus monoarthritis of the knee and rapid progression of diffuse septic pneumonia requiring mechanical ventilation.
Anesthesia, General ; Anesthetics ; Arthritis ; Cyanosis ; Dantrolene ; Fever ; Humans ; Knee ; Malignant Hyperthermia ; Muscle Rigidity ; Muscles ; Pneumonia ; Respiration, Artificial ; Skin ; Staphylococcus aureus ; Succinylcholine ; Tachycardia, Sinus

The objective of this study was to assess the reliability and validity of food security measures, which was developed based on the US household food security survey module (US HFSSM) with content validity in the Korean population. The reliability and validity were assessed by internal consistency, construct validity and criterion-related validity. The study included 446 households. Among those, 46.2% were households with children. The proportion of food insecure households was 33.3%. Among those, 35.4% and 64.6% households were food insecure with hunger and without hunger, respectively. The Cronbach's alpha coefficients were 0.84 and the infit value by the Rasch model analysis ranged from 0.68 to 1.43. The scale item response curves by food insecurity severity explained well the nature and characteristics of food security, indicating the highest proportion of "yes" for the items on diet quality, followed by those with diet quantity. The result of criterion-related validity showed that food insecurity status was significantly related in a dose-response manner with the household income level, food expenditure, subjective health state, subjects' educational level. Household food security status was also related to dietary diversity regarding protein foods, fruits and fruit juice, and milk and dairy product. These findings suggest that the food security instrument is reliable and valid and would be used to assess food security status in the Korean population.
Child ; Dairy Products ; Diet ; Family Characteristics ; Food Supply ; Fruit ; Health Expenditures ; Humans ; Hunger ; Milk ; Nutrition Surveys ; Reproducibility of Results

Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis (TPP) is a rare complication of hyperthyroidism, with recurrent muscle paralysis and hypokalemia that are caused by an intracellular shift of potassium. TPP is relatively common in Asian males, but is extremely rare in children and adolescents, even for those of Asian descent. We describe a 16-year-old Korean adolescent presenting with a two-week history of episodic leg weakness in the morning. He showed sinus tachycardia, lower leg weakness, and hypokalemia. Thyroid function test showed hyperthyroidism, and thyroid ultrasonography revealed a diffuse enlarged thyroid with increased vascularity, consistent with Graves' disease. He was treated with beta-adrenergic blocker and antithyroid drugs. He has been symptom free for one year, as his hyperthyroidism has been controlled well with antithyroid drugs. TPP should be considered in children and adolescents with acute paralysis of the lower extremities and hypokalemia.
Adolescent* ; Antithyroid Agents ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Child ; Graves Disease* ; Humans ; Hyperthyroidism ; Hypokalemia ; Leg ; Lower Extremity ; Male ; Paralysis* ; Potassium ; Tachycardia, Sinus ; Thyroid Function Tests ; Thyroid Gland ; Ultrasonography

Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis (PCI), characterized by presence of intramural gas cyst in the intestinal wall is associated with various medical condition. Polymyosistis, however, is rarely associated with PCI. Few cases are reported in the world, and none has not been reported previously in Korea. A 67-year-old woman with polymyositis developed mild abdominal pain and abdominal distension during treatment with steroid and azathioprine. Radiographic findings including CT scan showed intraperitoneal free gas and intramural air, compatible with PCI. The patient's symptom and clinical findings improved after the treatment with antibiotics and high-dose oxygen therapy.
Aged ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents/therapeutic use ; Azathioprine/therapeutic use ; Cefotaxime/therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Oxygen Inhalation Therapy ; Pneumatosis Cystoides Intestinalis/complications/*diagnosis/drug therapy ; Polymyositis/complications/*diagnosis/drug therapy ; Prednisolone/therapeutic use ; Radiography, Abdominal ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis (PCI), characterized by presence of intramural gas cyst in the intestinal wall is associated with various medical condition. Polymyosistis, however, is rarely associated with PCI. Few cases are reported in the world, and none has not been reported previously in Korea. A 67-year-old woman with polymyositis developed mild abdominal pain and abdominal distension during treatment with steroid and azathioprine. Radiographic findings including CT scan showed intraperitoneal free gas and intramural air, compatible with PCI. The patient's symptom and clinical findings improved after the treatment with antibiotics and high-dose oxygen therapy.
Aged ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents/therapeutic use ; Azathioprine/therapeutic use ; Cefotaxime/therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Oxygen Inhalation Therapy ; Pneumatosis Cystoides Intestinalis/complications/*diagnosis/drug therapy ; Polymyositis/complications/*diagnosis/drug therapy ; Prednisolone/therapeutic use ; Radiography, Abdominal ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Torsades de pointes associated with a prolonged QT interval is a life-threatening arrhythmia, which may be induced by any of the following: drugs, electrolyte imbalances, severe bradycardia and intracranial hemorrhage. Torsades de pointes is characterized by beat-to-beat variations in the QRS complexes in any ECG leads with rates of 200~250 per minute. Fluoroquinolones are widely used and well tolerated antibacterial agents. However, prolongation of the QT interval leads rarely to Torsades de pointes as a significant adverse effect. So, it should be used with caution in high-risk patients for developing Torsades de pointes. We report one case of 67-year old man with contact burns who experienced Torsades de pointes, which probably resulted from the use of levofloxacin, and no further episode occurred after its withdrawal.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; Bradycardia ; Burns ; Electrocardiography ; Fluoroquinolones ; Humans ; Intracranial Hemorrhages ; Ofloxacin ; Torsades de Pointes

OBJECTIVE: To compare the usefulness of magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) and MR angiography (MRA) in differentiating malignant from benign intraductal papillary mucinous tumors of the pancreas (IPMTs), and to determine the findings which suggest malignancy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: During a 6-year period, 46 patients with IPMT underwent MRCP. Morphologically, tumor type was classified as main duct, branch duct, or combined. The diameter of the main pancreatic duct (MPD), the extent of the dilated MPD, and the location and size of the cystic lesion, septum, and communicating channel were assessed. For all types of IPMTs, enhanced mural nodules and portal vein narrowing were evaluated at MRA. RESULTS: Combined-type IPMTs were more frequently malignant (78%) than benign (42%) (p < 0.05). Compared with benign lesions, malignant lesions were larger, and the caliber of the communicating channel was also larger (p < 0.05). Their dilated MPD was more extensive and of greater diameter (p < 0.05), and the presence of mural nodules was more frequent (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Combined MRCP and MRA might be useful for the differential diagnosis of malignant and benign IPMTs of the pancreas.