BACKGROUND: Subcutaneous injection of 5% formalin in the hind paw of the rat produces a biphasic nociceptive response. The second phase depends on changes in dorsal horn cell function that occur shortly after the initial C-fiber discharge, spinal sensitization, or windup phenomenon. Several studies about the effect of analgesic or anesthetic drugs on spinal sensitization has been done and we studied the effects of common intravenous anesthetic agents, thiopental, propofol and ketamine on spinal sensitization. METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 200 to 250 gm were used for this study. Under halothane anesthesia PE-10 catheter was introduced into the right internal jugular vein, and tunnelled subcutaneously to the back of the rat. Before formalin test, animals were given saline 0.2 ml, propofol 10 mg/kg, propofol 6 mg/kg, thiopental 15 mg/kg, or ketamine 15 mg/kg. After formalin injection flinching was counted for 90 minutes. RESULTS: Propofol caused a significant decrease in phase 2 activity while thiopental showed no difference compared to control. Ketamine also caused a significant decrease in phase 2 activity. CONCLUSIONS: Propofol and ketamine not thiopental alter the spinal sensitization in rats. So we consider that these agents may have beneficial effect on attenuation of postoperative pain.
Anesthesia ; Anesthetics ; Anesthetics, Intravenous* ; Animals ; Catheters ; Formaldehyde* ; Halothane ; Injections, Subcutaneous ; Jugular Veins ; Ketamine ; Pain Measurement* ; Pain, Postoperative ; Posterior Horn Cells ; Propofol ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Thiopental

OBJECTIVE: The lifetime prevalence of alcohol dependence in South Korea remains higher than other countries. The aim of our study is to identify factors associated with remission from alcohol dependence. METHODS: Data from the Korean Epidemiological Catchment Area-Replication (KECA-R) study were used in our study. The Korean version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview 2.1 (K-CIDI 2.1) was administered. Remission was defined as having no symptom of alcohol dependence for 12 months or longer at the time of the interview. Demographic and clinical variables putatively associated with remission from alcohol dependence were examined by t-test, chi-square-test and logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The lifetime prevalence rate of alcohol dependence was 7.0%. Among them, 3.2% of the subjects were diagnosed with active alcohol dependence in the previous 12 months, and 3.8% were found to be in remission. Subjects in 35- to 44-year-old group, not living with partner group, and lower level of educational attainment group were more likely to be in the active alcohol dependence state. Of the comorbid mental disorders, dysthymia, anxiety disorder, nicotine use, and nicotine dependence were more common among the actively alcohol-dependent subjects. CONCLUSION: There is considerable level of recovery from alcohol dependence. Attention to factors associated with remission from alcohol dependence may be important in designing more effective treatment and prevention programs in this high-risk population.
Adult ; Alcoholism* ; Anxiety Disorders ; Comorbidity* ; Humans ; Korea ; Logistic Models ; Mental Disorders ; Nicotine ; Prevalence ; Tobacco Use Disorder

OBJECTIVE: We designed a nationwide study with limited exclusion criteria to investigate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in Korea and its relationship with antipsychotic medications. METHODS: This multicenter, cross-sectional, and observational study included patients diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. Sixteen hospitals enrolled 845 patients aged 18 to 65 years prescribed any antipsychotic medication between August 2011 and August 2013. MetS was diagnosed using the criteria of the modified Adult Treatment Panel III of the National Cholesterol Education Program with the Korean abdominal obesity definition (waist circumference ≥85 cm in women, ≥90 cm in men). RESULTS: The prevalence of MetS in all patients was 36.5% and was significantly higher in men than women (men, 40.8%; women, 32.2%) and was significantly correlated with age [odds ratio (OR) 1.02] and duration of illness (OR 1.03). The prevalence of MetS across antipsychotic drugs in the major monotherapy group was as follows: 18.8% for quetiapine, 22.0% for aripiprazole, 33.3% for both amisulpride and paliperidone, 34.0% for olanzapine, 35% for risperidone, 39.4% for haloperidol, and 44.7% for clozapine. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of MetS is very high in patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. Screening and monitoring of MetS is also strongly recommended.
Adult ; Antipsychotic Agents ; Aripiprazole ; Cholesterol ; Clozapine ; Cross-Sectional Studies* ; Education ; Female ; Haloperidol ; Humans ; Korea* ; Male ; Mass Screening ; Obesity, Abdominal ; Observational Study ; Paliperidone Palmitate ; Prevalence* ; Psychotic Disorders ; Quetiapine Fumarate ; Risperidone ; Schizophrenia*