No abstract available.
Emergencies* ; Emergency Service, Hospital*

OBJECTIVE: Our objective was (1) to determine if serum creatine kinase (CK) activity is reduced in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) compared with that of noninflammatory rheumatic diseases, (2) to examine the recently described association of low CK activity and disease variables in our RA population, and (3) to examine the influence of steroid on serum CK activity in patients with RA. METHODS: Cross sectional and longitudinal retrospective analyses of clinical and biochemical data of consecutive patients with RA and noninflammatory arthropathies. In all subjects we evaulated age, sex, weight, and, only for patients with RA, history of use of corticosteroids and Ritchie index. C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), hemoglobin, and platelet count were simultaneously determined as variables of disease activity. CK activity was determined by automated biochemical analyzer (Hitachi 747, Japan). RESULTS: Serum CK activity was significantly reduced in RA (mean+SD: 45.7 +24.2 IU/L) compared to controls (81.3+33.9 IU/L) (p < 0.001). Ritchie index, CRP, and platelet count correlated inversely with CK values (correlation coefficient: 0.31, p < 0.01; 0. 45, p < 0.001; 0.42, p < 0.001, respectively). Patients taking steroids had lower CK activity than those without steroid, but not statistically significant.
Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid* ; Blood Sedimentation ; C-Reactive Protein ; Creatine Kinase* ; Creatine* ; Humans ; Platelet Count ; Retrospective Studies ; Rheumatic Diseases ; Steroids

We described a population-based study of the epidemiology of herpes zoster in military personnel of Korea. A total of 132 cases of herpes zoster were ascertained from May 2004 to April 2005. The most common site of involvement was thoracic area (55%). The annual incidence, based on 132 cases in about 80,000 person-years, was 165 per 100,000 person (95% CI, 138-196). It is noted that herpes zoster occurred frequently in otherwise healthy military personnel.
Epidemiology ; Herpes Zoster* ; Humans ; Incidence* ; Korea ; Military Personnel*

We described a population-based study of the epidemiology of herpes zoster in military personnel of Korea. A total of 132 cases of herpes zoster were ascertained from May 2004 to April 2005. The most common site of involvement was thoracic area (55%). The annual incidence, based on 132 cases in about 80,000 person-years, was 165 per 100,000 person (95% CI, 138-196). It is noted that herpes zoster occurred frequently in otherwise healthy military personnel.
Epidemiology ; Herpes Zoster* ; Humans ; Incidence* ; Korea ; Military Personnel*

Riedel's thyroiditis (RT) is a rare chronic inflammatory disease of the thyroid gland. It is characterized by a fibroinflammatory process that partially destroys the gland and extends into adjacent neck structures. Its clinical manifestation can mask an accompanying thyroid neoplasm and can mimic invasive thyroid carcinoma. Therefore, diagnosis can be difficult prior to surgical removal of the thyroid, and histopathologic examination of the thyroid is necessary for a definite diagnosis. The concurrent presence of RT and other thyroid diseases has been reported. However, to our knowledge, the association of RT with acute suppurative thyroiditis and micropapillary carcinoma has not been reported. We report a rare case of concurrent RT, acute suppurative thyroiditis, and micropapillary carcinoma in a 48-year-old patient.
Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use ; Biopsy ; Carcinoma/*complications/diagnosis/therapy ; Female ; Hashimoto Disease/*complications/diagnosis/therapy ; Hormone Replacement Therapy ; Humans ; Lymph Node Excision ; Middle Aged ; Thyroid Neoplasms/*complications/diagnosis/therapy ; Thyroidectomy ; Thyroiditis/*complications/diagnosis/therapy ; Thyroiditis, Suppurative/*complications/diagnosis/therapy ; Thyroxine/therapeutic use ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Treatment Outcome

Diabetes insipidus is a disorder caused by complete or partial deficiency or unresponsiveness to antidiuretic hormone. Both diabetes mellitus and diabetes insipidus are well-known causes of polyuria and polydipsia. Although Wolfram Syndrome, which is characterized by the concurrence of diabetes mellitus and diabetes insipidus along with optic atrophy and ataxia, is frequently reported, the concurrence of diabetes insipidus and type 2 diabetes mellitus without optic atrophy and deafness is rare. We report a 31-year-old woman presenting with hyperglycemic hyperosmolar syndrome caused by type 2 diabetes mellitus complicated with concurrent central diabetes insipidus.
Adult ; Ataxia ; Deafness ; Diabetes Insipidus ; Diabetes Insipidus, Neurogenic ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperglycemia ; Optic Atrophy ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome ; Polydipsia ; Polyuria ; Wolfram Syndrome

Diabetes insipidus is a disorder caused by complete or partial deficiency or unresponsiveness to antidiuretic hormone. Both diabetes mellitus and diabetes insipidus are well-known causes of polyuria and polydipsia. Although Wolfram Syndrome, which is characterized by the concurrence of diabetes mellitus and diabetes insipidus along with optic atrophy and ataxia, is frequently reported, the concurrence of diabetes insipidus and type 2 diabetes mellitus without optic atrophy and deafness is rare. We report a 31-year-old woman presenting with hyperglycemic hyperosmolar syndrome caused by type 2 diabetes mellitus complicated with concurrent central diabetes insipidus.
Adult ; Ataxia ; Deafness ; Diabetes Insipidus ; Diabetes Insipidus, Neurogenic ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperglycemia ; Optic Atrophy ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome ; Polydipsia ; Polyuria ; Wolfram Syndrome

Foot complications are a well known factor which contribute to the morbidity of diabetes and increases the chance of amputation. A total of 126 consecutive diabetic patients were evaluated by diabetic foot screening. Forty-one patients showed an impaired protective sense when tested with Semmes-Weinstein monofilament 5.07 (10 g), and 92% of them showed peripheral polyneuropathy in nerve conduction study (NCS). The mean vibration score of the Rydel-Seiffer graduated tuning fork in patients with peripheral polyneuropathy in nerve conduction (NCV) study was 5.38+/-2.0, which was significantly different from that of patients without polyneuropathy in NCS. Among the deformities identified on examination, callus, corn, and hallux valgus were the greatest. While checking the ankle/ brachial index (ABI), we also evaluated the integrity of vasculature in the lower extremities. After extensive evaluation, we classified the patients into eight groups (category 0,1,2,3,4A,4B,5,6). The result of this study suggested that the Semmes-Weinstein monofilament test, Rydel-Seiffer graduated tuning fork test, and checking the ankle/brachial index were simple techniques for evaluating pathologic change in the diabetic foot by office screening, and that this screening based on treatment-oriented classification helps to reduce pedal complications in a diabetic population
Diabetic Angiopathies/diagnosis ; Diabetic Angiopathies/complications ; Diabetic Foot/physiopathology ; Diabetic Foot/diagnosis* ; Diabetic Foot/classification ; Diabetic Neuropathies/diagnosis ; Diabetic Neuropathies/complications ; Female ; Foot/physiopathology ; Human ; Male ; Mass Screening ; Middle Age ; Podiatry/methods ; Sensory Thresholds

PURPOSE: Interleukin (IL) -13 plays a pivotal role in the induction of immunoglobulin E (IgE) and in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis (AD). Recently, an association was reported between the polymorphism of the IL-13 promoter region (-1512A/C) and atopic asthma. We investigated the association between the IL-13 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the promoter region (-1512A/C) and atopic dermatitis in Korean children with AD. METHODS: We enrolled 204 allergic AD, 92 non-allergic AD, and 116 non-atopic healthy children. Evaluated phenotypes of atopic dermatitis included total IgE, total eosinophil count, and eosinophil fraction. We used a PCR-RFLP method to identify IL-13 genotypes. RESULTS: The allele frequencies of the IL-13 promoter polymorphism (-1512A/C) did not differ statistically among the three groups. Children with one or two copies of risk alleles in the promoter region (-1512C) did not show any significant association with the clinical phenotypes of atopic dermatitis including total IgE, eosinophil phenotypes and SCORAD score in the allergic or non-allergic atopic dermatitis. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that the -1512A/C polymorphism of IL-13 gene may not be associated with neither the development nor the clinical phenotypes of atopic dermatitis in Korean children.
Alleles ; Asthma ; Child* ; Dermatitis, Atopic* ; Eosinophils ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; Immunoglobulins ; Interleukin-13* ; Interleukins ; Phenotype ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Promoter Regions, Genetic

PURPOSE: For early diagnosis of sacroiliitis in spondyloarthropathy, the MRI findings of sacroiliitis, roles of MPGR (Multiplanar Gradient Recalled Acquisition in Steady State), and delayed post-contrast T1-weighted images were evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty six patients with seronegative spondyloarthropathy (probable clinical diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis) were grouped as either less than radiographic grade I (group A) or more than grade II (group B). The MRI findings of both sacroiliac joints were evaluated in every patient, and predominant sites were determined. The two groups were then compared. In 17 patients, the number of enhancing panni seen on early and delayed post-contrast T1-weighted images was counted and compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Panni were found in all cases, and in both groups, predominant patterns of involvement were the lower and iliac aspects of the sacroiliac joints in both groups; in group A, the synovial joints and punctate pannus were predominantly involved, and in group B, the ligamentous joints as well as the synovial joints and linear pannus. In group B, more periarticular fat accumulation than periarticular osteitis was found. For the evaluation of changes in joint space, MPGR images were superior to spin echo images. For the delineation of enhancing pannus less than radiographic grade I, delayed post-contrast images were statistically superior to those which were early post-contrast. CONCLUSION: MRI can detect early sacroiliitic change according to the predominant sites of involvement, and delayed post-contrast images play a role in the diagnosis of early sacroiliitis. MPGR imaging is good for the evaluation of joint space change.
Diagnosis ; Early Diagnosis ; Humans ; Joints ; Ligaments ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Osteitis ; Sacroiliac Joint ; Sacroiliitis* ; Spondylarthropathies ; Spondylitis ; Spondylitis, Ankylosing*