This survey was conducted from January 1991 to May 1991. Two hundred and eight residents in 4 government supported homes for the aged and hundred and eleven living in the community in Taegu, Korea, were examined to evaluate the depression and the anxiety of the aged with combined anxiety and depression scale (CADS) and somatization symptom check list (SCL). There are no significant differences between residents in the home for the aged and those living in the community on the total scores of CADS and SCL. However, in the case of the total score of CADS of the female subjects in the home for the aged were significantly higher than those of the community residents. The elderly in the home for the aged tended to have pure depression, while community residents were likely to have anxiety and depression. Fifty-two subjects of home for the aged and sixty-nine of the community scored over 50 points of CADS, which indicates considerable depression or anxiety. In psychosocial factors, the subjects who in the following situations had statistically significant higher scores than others. The results were as follow. Poor health, unhappiness, unsatisfaction to the past occupation, pessimistic thought in future view for both group and unsatisfaction of the relationship with familiar people for the elderly in the community. The SCL scores of two groups subgrouped by under 49 and 50 on CADS showed significant differences between each subgroup on all of the SCL items. It could be suggested that somatic symptoms for the aged is a sign of depression.
Aged* ; Anxiety* ; Daegu ; Depression* ; Female ; Homes for the Aged ; Humans ; Korea ; Occupations ; Psychology

Methotrexate has been used to treat refractory psoriasis for many years. Despite its well-established clinical efficacy, drawbacks to methotrexate usage include a number of deleterious effects including hepatotoxicity, bone marrow suppression, and interstitial pneumonitis. We experienced a case of liver cirrhosis m patient with active psoriasis receiving long-term ora1 methotrexate therapy, and reported this case with review of literature.
Bone Marrow ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis* ; Liver* ; Lung Diseases, Interstitial ; Methotrexate* ; Psoriasis

BACKGROUND/AIMS: In HCC with low AFP. we have to use repeated imaging study to evaluate residual viable rumor or recurrence after TACE ( transarterial chemoembolization). We performed the study to know that sICAM-1 in HCC can be a tumor marker of diagnosis and has cor relation with tumor size or clinical staging. The results were compared with PIVKA- , an another tumor marker of HCC. METHODS: Previously untreat ed 39 pat ients with HCC were evaluated. Serum sICAM- 1, AFP and PIVKA-II were measured by EIA, immunoradiometric assay and EIA, respectively. Tumor size were meas ured by abdominal CT and angiogr aphy. RESULTS: Range of sICAM- 1 levels with HCC patients were 189.0 to 983.6 ng/ mL, and mean value was 668.3+- 254.4 ng/ mL. Thirty four of the 39 patients (87.2%) with HCC showed sICAM- 1 levels higher than 306.4 ng/ mL (mean of 131 healt hy controls + 2SD level). Range of PIVKA-II level with HCC patients were 25.3 to 2,779.3mAU/nL, and mean value was 1,340.1+-1,091.1mAU/mL. seven of the 39 patients(94.9%) with HCC showde PIVKA-II levels higher than 40mAU/mL. Range of AFP levels with HCC patients were 4.2 to 57,520ng/mL, and mean value was 4,215.6+-10,807.2ng/mL. 10 patients (26%) showed AFP lower than 20ng/mL, and 17 patients(44%) were AFP lower than 100ng/mL. All of the 17 patients with alphaFP lower than 100ng/mL had s ICAM-1 levels more than reference range (mean of 131 healt hy cont r ols + 2 SD level), and PIVKA-II levels also more than reference range. Positive correlation was observed between PIVKA-II level and tumor size in 18 patients without vascular invasion. Accor ding t o HCC clinical staging, 10 patients (25.6%) belonged clinical stage II. 5 pat ients (12.8%) III, 24 pat ients (61.5%) IV. Both of PIVKA-II and sICAM-1 levels of stage showed significantly higher than stage II. PIVKA-II showed more positive correlation with tumor size and clinical stage than sICAM- 1. No correlation was found between AFP and sICAM-1, and positive correlation was AFP and PIVKA-II. CONCLUSION: In HCC patients with low AFP, sICAM-1 and PIVKA-II correlated with tumor size and clinical stage. sICAM-1 and PIVKA-II may be a useful marker of diagnosis. So, we need to further study to evaluate whether sICAM- 1 and PIVKA-II can be used as a marker of disease progression or prognosis.
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* ; Diagnosis ; Disease Progression ; Humans ; Immunoradiometric Assay ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1* ; Prognosis ; Recurrence ; Reference Values ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

BACKGROUND: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most commonly reported nerve entrapment syndrome. When performing routine nerve conduction studies (NCS) in clinically diagnosed CTS, we sometimes confronted with patients who have no definite electrophysiological evidence of CTS. Current perception threshold (CPT) test can evaluate the functioning of all major subpopulations of sensory nerve. The purpose of this study is to determine clinically usefulness of the CPT test in idiopathic CTS. METHODS: We prospectively studied 60 patients (90 hands) who were clinically diagnosed as CTS. Involved hands were grouped into three clinical grades (mild, moderate and severe). NCS was done using a standard technique and equipment. CPT test was measured at the distal interphalangeal joint of second, third and fifth fingers with electrical current of 5 Hz, 250 Hz and 2,000 Hz in frequency. RESULTS: Of 60 patients (90 hands), 8 (13.1%) were men and 52 (86.9%) were women. Mean age at evaluation was 56.00+/-8.94 years old. Positive rate of NCS and CPT was 0.80 (0.72, 0.88) and 0.61 (0.51, 0.71), respectively. Sensitive and specificity of CPT test was 0.49 and 0.57. As the clinical severity of CTS deteriorate, CPT test showed abnormality in low frequency stimulation. CONCLUSIONS: CPT test is an effective and relatively simple procedure for measuring perception in CTS. But CTS test is difficulty and subjectively at interpretation. We suggested that the usefullness of CPT test is lower than NCS in diagnosis of CTS.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome ; Female ; Fingers ; Hand ; Humans ; Joints ; Male ; Nerve Compression Syndromes ; Neural Conduction ; Prospective Studies ; Sensitivity and Specificity

This study was conducted to compare the date on knowledge, attitude and motivation toward blood donation between donors and non-donors. The study population included 622 donors and 322 non-donors who visited the mobile blood donation car of Taegu Red Cross Blood Center and participated the group appointed blood donation campaign managed by the center from March 1 to March 31, 1989. The donors and non-donors were questioned above mentioned items with a formulated questionnaire. Among the general characteristics of the subjects in the study, male predominance (84.1% in donors and 73.6% in non-donors) in young age group (16-24 years) was the outstanding feature. As a medium of information about blood donation, “television” was playing a dominant role (donors; 75.2%, non-donors; 78.9%), while “magazine” played more important roles among donors. Of the donors, 70.6% and of the non-donors, 58.1 replied that they had ever been induced to donate blood (p<0.01). Major inducers were friend and personnel of mobile blood donation vehicle. On the measuring of knowledge level, the average rates of correct answer was higher in donors (62.6%) than in non-donors (54.1%) (p<0.01). Higher the education level was presented, higher the knowledge level (p<0.05). There have been noticeable difference between donors and non-donors in blood replying the questionnaire set to measure their attitude toward blood donation, especially in the items such as “impression toward blood”, “selection of transfusion blood source” and “view on the situation of blood shortage.” The major motivation toward blood donation of the groups were “possible future need” and “altruism or humanitarian interest”. The major reasons for not donation blood in both groups were “fear of the needle” and “dread to visit to mobile car or center”.
Blood Donors* ; Daegu ; Education ; Friends ; Humans ; Male ; Motivation* ; Red Cross ; Tissue Donors

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: External ear resonance (EER) can normally increase the sound pressure level at the tympanic membrane by as much as 20 dB at the frequency between 2 and 4 kHz. Perforation of tympanic membrane (TMP) may alter the resonance characteristics. Surgical modifications of the external auditory canal by tympanoplasty may also change the EER features. We aimed to analyze the EER of patients with the TMP before and after surgery. MATERIALS AND MEHTOD: This study comprised of 130 patients (135 ears) with chronic otitis media. We checked EERs before and after the surgery. The preoperative group was divided into two groups according to perforation size. Postoperatively, the EER was checked at 3, 6, 9, 12 months or after 15 months. We compared these data with the control group which comprised of 96 adult ears. RESULTS: In the preoperative group, the peak resonant gain and the frequency were not different from the control's and the peculiar negative peaks appeared around 1500 Hz in half of the cases. No significant differences were found in the first peak gains according to the perforation size. The negative peaks appeared deeper in the larger perforation group. After tympanoplasty, the gain markedly increased. As time passed, the gain tended to decrease, but did not equalize with the control's data. CONCLUSION: Additional gain should be considered in the frequency of around 1 kHz for hearing aid users with the TMP. We could expect alterations of EER after tympanoplasty, suggesting that these changes should be considered at the time of fitting hearing aids.
Adult ; Ear ; Ear Canal ; Ear, External* ; Hearing Aids ; Humans ; Otitis Media* ; Otitis* ; Thymidine Monophosphate ; Tympanic Membrane ; Tympanic Membrane Perforation ; Tympanoplasty

PEG is a simple, safe and rapid method for the placement of feeding gastrostomy tube because of its low morbidity and mortality. Also, exchange of gastrostomy tube can be easily performed because several types of exchange tube, suich as replacement balloon gastrostomy tube are available. But, less has been known about complications of exchange tube. The authors experienced a case of severe gastric ulcer bleeding in seventy one years old male patient who had been suffered from melena after exchange of old PEG tube for replacement balloon gastrostomy tube. Gastroscopy showed bleeding from acute, large and deep ulcer on the body of stomach, and replacement tube tip directed to the center of ulcer. Bleeding was thought to be caused by gastric ulcer due to replacement balloon gastrostomy tube, After removal of tube and conservative management with H2 receptor antagonist, bleeding ceased
Gastroscopy ; Gastrostomy* ; Hemorrhage* ; Humans ; Male ; Melena ; Mortality ; Stomach ; Stomach Ulcer* ; Ulcer

No abstract available.
Alcoholics* ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis* ; Liver*

It is now generally accepted that most, if not all, colon cancers originate within previously benign adenomas. Endoscopic polyp resection and regular follow up endoscopic examination are essential for prevention of carcinoma fro benign adenoma. However, small colorectal polyps are difficult to recognize during follow up endoscopic examinations because of the lack of reliable endoscopic landmarkers. Endoscopic Indiaink marking of the colon was first described by Ponsky and King in l975. The method has subsequently been advocated by expert as the best available means to mark the site of a colonic lesion. We prospectively studied the effectiveness of India ink as a long term colonic mucosal marker. Twelve patients who were diagnosed as colorectal polyp had a India ink marking with standard sclerotherapy needle. All patients who were followed at 6 months interval (mean duration 13 months) continue to display intensely stained mucosa at the original sites. No side effects or complications were encountered. India ink appears to be a safe and effective long term marker for colonic mucosal lesions.
Adenoma ; Colon* ; Colonic Neoplasms ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; India* ; Ink* ; Mucous Membrane* ; Needles ; Polyps ; Prospective Studies ; Sclerotherapy

Symptomatic hepatic cysts are infrequently seen. A 82-year-old woman was admitted because of growing abdominal mass and pain. On admission, the mass was palpated on right upper quadrant of the abdomen. Ultrasonography and computed tomography disclosed a huge cystic lesion of the liver. It measured 22.5 x 19.0 x 18.0 cm and had a thick wall that was irregular. Because of the patient's symptoms and the radiologic findings, the decision was made to aspirate the cyst percutaneously under fluoroscopic guidance. Percutaneous drainage yielded approximately 3300 cc of yellow brownish fluid. A cytologic evaluation of the fluid was negative for malignant cells, and a fluid analysis was described as predominantly inflammatory in nature. Cultures revealed a growth of Klebsiella oxytoca. After drainage of the cystic fluid, we instilled contrast medium. No communication between the cyst and bile ducts was seen. Seven days later, the patient was discharged. Four months after treatment, no reaccumulated fluid was observed by ultrasonography. Ten months after treatment, the patient is healthy without abdominal discomfort. We report a case of the infected huge hepatic cyst successfully treated with fluoroscopic-uided percutaneous drainage.
Abdomen ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bile Ducts ; Drainage* ; Female ; Humans ; Klebsiella oxytoca ; Liver ; Ultrasonography