Gastritis is a major disease that has the potential to grow as gastric cancer. Gastric cancer is a very common cancer, and it is related to a very high mortality rate in Korea. This disease is known to have various reasons, including infection with Helicobacter pylori, dietary habits, tobacco, and alcohol. The incidence rate of gastritis has reported to differ between age, population, and gender. However, unlike other factors, there has been no analysis based on gender. So, we examined the high risk factors of gastritis in each gender in the Korean population by focusing on sex. We performed an analysis of 120 clinical characteristics and genome-wide association studies (GWAS) using 349,184 single-nucleotide polymorphisms from the results of Anseong and Ansan cohort study in the Korea Association Resource (KARE) project. As the result, we could not prove a strong relation with these factors and gastritis or gastric ulcer in the GWAS. However, we confirmed several already-known risk factors and also found some differences of clinical characteristics in each gender using logistic regression. As a result of the logistic regression, a relation with hyperlipidemia, coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, hyperlipidemia therapy, hypotensive or antihypotensive drug, diastolic blood pressure, and gastritis was seen in males; the results of this study suggest that vascular disease has a potential association with gastritis in males.
Blood Pressure ; Cohort Studies ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Food Habits ; Gastritis* ; Genome-Wide Association Study* ; Gyeonggi-do ; Helicobacter pylori ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias ; Incidence ; Korea ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Mortality ; Myocardial Infarction ; Risk Factors ; Stomach Neoplasms ; Stomach Ulcer* ; Tobacco ; Vascular Diseases

Hepatitis is a common and serious disease for the Korean population. It is caused by a virus, the A and B types of which are plentiful in Koreans. In this study, we tried to find genetic factors for hepatitis through genome-wide association studies. We took 368 cases and 1,500 controls from Anseong and Ansan cohort data. About 300,000 single-nucleotide polymorphisms and 20 epidemiological variables were analyzed. We did not find any meaningful significant single nucleotide polymorphisms, but we confirmed the influence of major epidemiological variables on hepatitis.
Cohort Studies ; Genome-Wide Association Study* ; Gyeonggi-do ; Hepatitis* ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide

BACKGROUND: Spinal cord ischemic injury during thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic surgeries remains a potentially devastating outcome despite using various methods of protection. Neuronal voltage-dependent sodium channel antagonists are known to provide neuroprotection in cerebral ischemic models. This study was designed to compare the neuroprotective effects of phenytoin with those of hypothermia in a rabbit model of spinal cord ischemia. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Spinal cord ischemia was induced in New Zealand white rabbits by means of infrarenal aortic cross clamping for 25 minutes. Four groups of 8 animals each were studied. The control group and the hypothermia group received retrograde infusion of saline only (22degrees C, 2 mL/min); the normothermic phenytoin group and the hypothermicphenytoin group received retrograde infusion of 100 mg of phenytoin at different rectal temperatures (39degrees C and 37degrees C, respectively) during the ischemic period. The neurologic function was assessed at 24 and 72 hours after the operation with using the modified Tarlov criteria. The spinal cords were harvested after the final neurologic examination for histopathological examination to objectively quantify the amount of neuronal damage. RESULT: No major adverse effects were observed with the retrograde phenytoin infusion during the aortic ischemic period. All the control rabbits became severely paraplegic. Both the phenytoin group and the hypothermia group had a better neurological status than did the control group (p<0.05). The typical morphological changes that are characteristic of neuronal necrosis in the gray matter of the control animals were demonstrated by means of the histopathological examination, whereas phenytoin or hypothermia prevented or attenuated these necrotic phenomena (p<0.05). The number of motor neuron cells positive for TUNEL staining was significantly reduced, to a similar extent, in the rabbits treated with phenytoin or hypothermia. Phenytoin and hypothermia had some additive neuroprotective effect, but there was no statistical significance between the two on the neurological and histopathological analysis. CONCLUSION: The neurological and histopathological analysis consistently demonstrated that both phenytoin and hypothermia may afford significant spinal cord protection to a similar extent during spinal cord ischemia in rabbits, although no significant additive effects were noticed.
Animals ; Constriction ; Hypothermia ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Ischemia ; Motor Neurons ; Necrosis ; Neurologic Examination ; Neurons ; Neuroprotective Agents ; Phenytoin ; Rabbits ; Sodium Channels ; Spinal Cord ; Spinal Cord Ischemia

No Abstract available.
Double Outlet Right Ventricle*

BACKGROUND: Mixed obstructive and restrictive pattern of spirometry can not be concluded in the presence of true restrictive disorders because pure obstructive disorders can also shoy reduced vital ca pacity. However, it is not known how many patients with mixed spirometric pattern really have restrictive disorders in Korea whose pattern of pulmonary diseases is somewhat different from foreign countries. To answer this question, I performed this study and tried to answer it according to diseases in addtion. METHOD: Test results from 413 patients who undergone both spirometry and lung volume measurements on the same visit from August 1, 1998 to July 31, 1999 were included. Spirometry data were classified as mixed obstructive-restrictive pattern when spirometry showed 'FEV1/FNC <70% (<65% if age >or= 60)' and FVC <80% of predicted value. TLC by the method of nitrogen washout was considered as gold standard to diagnose restrictive disorders in which TLC is less than 80% of predicted value. RESULTS: Out of 404 patients who could be evaluated, 58 had mixed pattern of spirometry. 58 patients were suffered from airway diseases (39 patients) such as COPD (22 patients, 38%), asthma (11,19%), bronchiectasis (6,10%), and sequelae of pulmonary tuberculosis (15,26%) or other diseases (4,7%). Only 18 out of 58 (31%) were confirmed to have true restrictive disorders by TLC. The proportion of true restrictive disorders was different according to diseases, 20.5%(8/39 patients) in patients with airway diseases and 53.5%(8/15) with sequelae of pulmonary tuberculosis (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Many patients whose spirometry showed mixed pattern didn't have restrictive disoders but had pure obstructive disorders. This was true for more patients with airway diseases. Therefore it would be prudent that lung volume be tested to diagnose restrictive disorders in patients with mixed spirometric pattern.
Asthma ; Bronchiectasis ; Humans ; Korea ; Lung ; Lung Diseases ; Lung Volume Measurements ; Nitrogen ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; Spirometry ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary

BACKGROUND: It is well known that rifampin decreases the hypoprothrombinemic effect of warfarin by induction of cytochrome p-450 enzyme in healthy volunteer. However, in patients the dosage schedule o f warfarin during rifampin therapy is not established. Therefore, patients taking both rifampin and warfarin were reviewed to find out the adequate dosage schedule of warfafin in addition to side effects by interaction of two drugs. METHOD: Patients taking both rifampin and warfarin were retrieved from patients who were admitted due to heart disease and tuberculosis at Boochun Sejong Hospital from January of 1995 to August of 1999. To decide the adequate dosage of warfarin, the dosage of warfarin before, during, and after rifampin was evaluated in patients who kept adequate hypoprothrombinemic effect of warfarin during rifampin. To decide the adequate dosage schedule of warfarin, the time interval from the beginning of rifampin to normalization of prothrombin time(INR Appointments and Schedules ; Cerebral Hemorrhage ; Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System ; Healthy Volunteers ; Heart Diseases ; Humans ; Intracranial Embolism ; Prothrombin ; Prothrombin Time ; Rifampin* ; Tuberculosis ; Warfarin*

Establishing a healthcare delivery system is key to building a cost-effective healthcare system that can prevent the waste of healthcare resources and increase efficiency. Recently, the rapid increase in the national medical expenditures due to the aging of the population and the increase in chronic diseases has raised the question about the sustainability of the healthcare system including the health insurance system. This is why we need to reform the medical delivery system, including the function setting of medical institutions. Accordingly, gradual and practical efforts based on the recognition of reality are needed for solving the problems and improving the medical delivery system. The first effort is to secure policy measures to establish functions and roles of medical institutions which are the basis of the healthcare delivery system, and a systematic medical use system for appropriate medical use. This approach can be achieved through a reasonable health insurance schemes. Without reasonable reform efforts, it will be difficult for Korea's health care system to develop into a system that can provide cost-effective and high-quality medical services that the people want.
Aging ; Chronic Disease ; Delivery of Health Care ; Health Expenditures ; Insurance, Health ; National Health Programs

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to estimate empirically whether there is a difference in medical use among income groups, and if so, how much. This study applies econometric model to the most recent year of Korean Medical Panel, 2015. The model consists of outpatient service and inpatient service models. METHODS: The probit model is applied to the model which indicate whether or not the medical care has been used. Two step estimation method using maximum likelihood estimation is applied to the models of outpatient visits, hospital days, and outpatient and inpatient out-of-pocket cost models, with disconnected selection problems. RESULTS: The results show that there was the inequality favorable to the low income group in medical care use. However, after controlling basic medical needs, there were no inequities among income groups in the outpatient visit model and the model of probability of inpatient service use. However, there were inequities favorable to the upper income groups in the models of probability of outpatient service use and outpatient out-of-pocket cost and the models of the number of length of stay and inpatient out-of-pocket cost. In particular, it shows clearly how the difference in outpatient service and inpatient service utilizations by income groups when basic medical needs are controlled. CONCLUSION: This means that the income contributes significantly to the degree of inequality in outpatient and inpatient care services. Therefore, the existence of medical care use difference under the same medical needs among income groups is a problem in terms of equity of medical care use, so great efforts should be made to establish policies to improve equity among income groups.
Health Expenditures ; Humans ; Inpatients ; Korea ; Length of Stay ; Methods ; Models, Econometric ; Outpatients ; Socioeconomic Factors

This study aimed to review the definitions of reproductive health rights, investigate reproductive health status, and suggest policy strategies to promote reproductive health in Korea. Current laws, the Constitution of the World Health Organization, works from Guttmacher-Lancet Commission on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, the Program of Action of the International Conference on Population Development, the Nairobi Statement on ICPD25, and the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women were reviewed to define reproductive health rights. The reproductive health status focusing on high-risk pregnancy was analyzed. Definitions of reproductive health rights include the right of every person to have lifetime access to the information, resources, services, and support needed to achieve bodily integrity, privacy and personal autonomy regarding their reproductive health. Most indices of reproductive health in Korea analyzed here are and would remain negative. Reproductive health should be approached from the perspectives of rights. We should continuously monitor the indicators of reproductive health and policies corresponding to low fertility rates in Korea should focus on improving women’s reproductive health. This suggests support for obstetrics and gynecology check-ups and treatments before pregnancy and postpartum care, the provision of education on the importance of prepregnancy health care for men and women and comprehensive information and counseling services. It is also necessary to establish a delivery infrastructure for safe pregnancy and childbirth and unify governmental ministries related to pregnancy and childbirth.

Purpose: This study analyzed factors that influence married women's intentions to have a second child from the perspective of reproductive health in Korea. Methods: The analysis included 332 married women whose first child birth was within the last 3 years from the 2021 National Family and Fertility Survey data. First, the general characteristics of married women was presented through frequency analysis. The differences in the characteristics of married women regarding their intention to have a second child were also analyzed using a chi-square test and independent samples t-test. Second, we analyzed the reproductive health characteristics of married women according to age using a chi-square test. Finally, logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate the effect of married women's reproductive health factors on their intention to have a second child. Results: With various variables controlled, age, infertility, and negative pregnancy experiences had a negative effect on the intention to have a second child, whereas child values and trust in the government had a positive effect. In addition, differences in the reproductive health of married women were found according to age, and the proportions of infertility, negative pregnancy experiences, and preterm birth or low birth weight of the first child were high in elderly married women. Conclusion To alleviate the low fertility rate in terms of additional childbirth, it is necessary to combine and strengthen not only medical treatment related to women's reproductive health but also psychoemotional counseling as a non-medical treatment, with support from the government.