Purpose: This study evaluated the postoperative quality of life (QoL) after various types of gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Materials and Methods: A multicenter prospective observational study was conducted in Korea using the Korean Quality of Life in Stomach Cancer Patients Study (KOQUSS)-40, a new QoL assessment tool focusing on postgastrectomy syndrome. Overall, 496 patients with gastric cancer were enrolled, and QoL was assessed at 5 time points: preoperatively and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. Results: Distal gastrectomy (DG) and pylorus-preserving gastrectomy (PPG) showed significantly better outcomes than total gastrectomy (TG) and proximal gastrectomy (PG) with regard to total score, indigestion, and dysphagia. DG, PPG, and TG also showed significantly better outcomes than PG in terms of dumping syndrome and worry about cancer. Postoperative QoL did not differ significantly according to anastomosis type in DG, except for Billroth I anastomosis, which achieved better bowel habit change scores than the others. No domains differed significantly when comparing double tract reconstruction and esophagogastrostomy after PG. The total QoL score correlated significantly with postoperative body weight loss (more than 10%) and extent of resection (P<0.05 for both).Reflux as assessed by KOQUSS-40 did not correlate significantly with reflux observed on gastroscopy 1 year postoperatively (P=0.064). Conclusions Our prospective observation using KOQUSS-40 revealed that DG and PPG lead to better QoL than TG and PG. Further study is needed to compare postoperative QoL according to anastomosis type in DG and PG.

Purpose: This study evaluated the postoperative quality of life (QoL) after various types of gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Materials and Methods: A multicenter prospective observational study was conducted in Korea using the Korean Quality of Life in Stomach Cancer Patients Study (KOQUSS)-40, a new QoL assessment tool focusing on postgastrectomy syndrome. Overall, 496 patients with gastric cancer were enrolled, and QoL was assessed at 5 time points: preoperatively and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. Results: Distal gastrectomy (DG) and pylorus-preserving gastrectomy (PPG) showed significantly better outcomes than total gastrectomy (TG) and proximal gastrectomy (PG) with regard to total score, indigestion, and dysphagia. DG, PPG, and TG also showed significantly better outcomes than PG in terms of dumping syndrome and worry about cancer. Postoperative QoL did not differ significantly according to anastomosis type in DG, except for Billroth I anastomosis, which achieved better bowel habit change scores than the others. No domains differed significantly when comparing double tract reconstruction and esophagogastrostomy after PG. The total QoL score correlated significantly with postoperative body weight loss (more than 10%) and extent of resection (P<0.05 for both).Reflux as assessed by KOQUSS-40 did not correlate significantly with reflux observed on gastroscopy 1 year postoperatively (P=0.064). Conclusions Our prospective observation using KOQUSS-40 revealed that DG and PPG lead to better QoL than TG and PG. Further study is needed to compare postoperative QoL according to anastomosis type in DG and PG.

Purpose: This study evaluated the postoperative quality of life (QoL) after various types of gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Materials and Methods: A multicenter prospective observational study was conducted in Korea using the Korean Quality of Life in Stomach Cancer Patients Study (KOQUSS)-40, a new QoL assessment tool focusing on postgastrectomy syndrome. Overall, 496 patients with gastric cancer were enrolled, and QoL was assessed at 5 time points: preoperatively and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. Results: Distal gastrectomy (DG) and pylorus-preserving gastrectomy (PPG) showed significantly better outcomes than total gastrectomy (TG) and proximal gastrectomy (PG) with regard to total score, indigestion, and dysphagia. DG, PPG, and TG also showed significantly better outcomes than PG in terms of dumping syndrome and worry about cancer. Postoperative QoL did not differ significantly according to anastomosis type in DG, except for Billroth I anastomosis, which achieved better bowel habit change scores than the others. No domains differed significantly when comparing double tract reconstruction and esophagogastrostomy after PG. The total QoL score correlated significantly with postoperative body weight loss (more than 10%) and extent of resection (P<0.05 for both).Reflux as assessed by KOQUSS-40 did not correlate significantly with reflux observed on gastroscopy 1 year postoperatively (P=0.064). Conclusions Our prospective observation using KOQUSS-40 revealed that DG and PPG lead to better QoL than TG and PG. Further study is needed to compare postoperative QoL according to anastomosis type in DG and PG.

Background: Postpartum depression (PPD) can negatively affect infant well-being and child development. Although the frequency and risk factors of PPD symptoms might vary depending on the country and culture, there is limited research on these risk factors among Korean women. This study aimed to elucidate the potential risk factors of PPD throughout pregnancy to help improve PPD screening and prevention in Korean women. Methods: The pregnant women at 12 gestational weeks (GW) were enrolled from two obstetric specialized hospitals from March 2013 to November 2017. A questionnaire survey was administered at 12 GW, 24 GW, 36 GW, and 4 weeks postpartum. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, and PPD was defined as a score of ≥ 10. Results: PPD was prevalent in 16.3% (410/2,512) of the participants. Depressive feeling at 12 GW and postpartum factors of stress, relationship with children, depressive feeling, fear, sadness, and neonatal intensive care unit admission of baby were significantly associated with a higher risk of PPD. Meanwhile, high postpartum quality of life and marital satisfaction at postpartum period were significantly associated with a lower risk of PPD. We developed a model for predicting PPD using factors as mentioned above and it had an area under the curve of 0.871. Conclusion Depressive feeling at 12 GW and postpartum stress, fear, sadness, relationship with children, low quality of life, and low marital satisfaction increased the risk of PPD. A risk model that comprises significant factors can effectively predict PPD and can be helpful for its prevention and appropriate treatment.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic efficacy of noninvasive prenatal screening for trisomy 18 by assessing the levels of unmethylated-maspin (U-maspin) and fetal nuchal translucency (NT) thickness during the first trimester of pregnancy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A nested case-control study was conducted using maternal plasma samples collected from 65 pregnant women carrying 11 fetuses with trisomy 18 and 54 normal fetuses. We compared the U-maspin levels, NT thicknesses, or a combination of both in the first trimester between the case and control groups. RESULTS: U-maspin levels and NT thickness were significantly elevated in the first trimester in pregnant women carrying fetuses with trisomy 18 when compared to those carrying normal fetuses (27.2 vs. 6.6 copies/mL, P<0.001 for U-maspin; 5.9 vs. 2.0mm, P<0.001 for NT). The sensitivities of the U-maspin levels and NT thickness in prenatal screening for fetal trisomy 18 were 90.9% and 90.9%, respectively, with a specificity of 98.1%. The combined U-maspin levels and NT thickness had a sensitivity of 100% in prenatal screening for fetal trisomy 18, with a specificity of 98.1%. CONCLUSION: A combination of U-maspin levels and NT thickness is highly efficacious for noninvasive prenatal screening of fetal trisomy 18 in the first trimester of pregnancy.
Case-Control Studies ; Epigenomics* ; Female ; Fetus ; Humans ; Mass Screening* ; Nuchal Translucency Measurement* ; Plasma ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Trimester, First* ; Pregnant Women ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Trisomy*

PURPOSE: Increased maternal age is a major risk factor for chromosomal abnormalities. The maternal age-specific risk of fetal trisomy was theoretically calculated. We investigated the actual frequency of fetal trisomy between 16 and 24 gestational weeks in pregnant women over the age of 34 at delivery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively, over a four-year period, reviewed the medical records of women with singleton pregnancies that started their antenatal care before the 10th week of pregnancy. Pregnant women aged 34 to 45 years at the time of delivery were enrolled and divided into groups of one-year intervals. We investigated the frequency of Down syndrome and all trisomies as a function of the maternal age and compared with the theoretical maternal-age-specific risk. RESULTS: Of the 5,858 pregnant women enrolled in the study, the rate of trisomy 21 was 0.29% (17 cases). The observed frequencies of trisomy 21 in women with maternal ages of 35 years and 40 years were 1:1,116 and 1:141, respectively. The rate of all trisomies was 0.39% (23 cases). The observed frequencies of all trisomies in women with maternal ages of 35 years and 40 years were 1:372 and 1:56, respectively. CONCLUSION: The frequencies of Down syndrome and all trisomies were proportional to the maternal age. However, the observed frequencies of Down syndrome and all trisomies between the 16 and 24 gestational weeks were lower than the theoretical rates.
Chromosome Aberrations ; Down Syndrome ; Epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Maternal Age ; Medical Records ; Pregnancy ; Pregnant Women* ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Trisomy*

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to explore the changes of bronchoscopic features according to epidemiologic change of lung cancer. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of the clinical characteristics of 1,139 lung cancer patient who underwent bronchoscopy at Kosin University Hospital from January 2000 to December 2010. RESULTS: The age of patients increased significantly during the last decade (P < 0.001). The most common histological type was adenocarcinoma (38.1%), followed by squamous carcinoma (35.7%) and small cell carcinoma (15.3%). There was an increasing incidence of adenocarcinoma over the time (P < 0.001). Bronchoscopic feature were divided into two classes; central type, peripheral type. The peripheral type was predominant (62.3%). The proportion of peripheral type has been increased in process of time (49.7% vs. 63.7% vs. 73.7%; P < 0.01). Among the major histopathologic type of lung cancer, adenocarcinoma (81.3%) and unclassifiable non-small-cell lung cancer (73.4%), small cell carcinoma (56.9%) were associated with preferential occurrence of peripheral type. Squamous cell carcinoma of the lung more often arised in central type (59%). However, the proportion of peripheral squamous cell carcinoma has been increased. On the subgroup analysis, the median survival time of peripheral type with adenocarcinoma and small cell carcinoma were longer than central type (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The age of the lung cancer patients at diagnosis was getting older. The most frequent histopathologic type was adenocarcinoma. The proportion of peripheral type lung cancer gradually increased over the time. The survival time of peripheral type lung cancer was longer than central type.
Adenocarcinoma ; Bronchoscopy ; Carcinoma, Small Cell ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Incidence ; Lung ; Lung Neoplasms* ; Retrospective Studies

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) is associated with chronic inflammation, and C-reactive protein (CRP) level is elevated in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). We investigated the impacts of CRP and AF on carotid atherosclerosis and ischemic stroke in patients with suspected ischemic cerebrovascular disease. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: One-hundred forty patients (78 males) with suspected ischemic cerebrovascular disease underwent carotid ultrasonography. The mean common carotid artery IMT, mean internal carotid artery (ICA) IMT, and plaque score were measured. Patients were divided into four groups according to the presence of AF and elevated CRP level {n=46 for AF(-)CRP(-), n=38 for AF(-)CRP(+), n=43 for AF(+)CRP(-), and n=13 for AF(+)CRP(+)}. RESULTS: Common carotid artery IMT was significantly higher in the AF(-)CRP(+) (0.98+/-0.51 mm) and AF(+)CRP(+) (0.96+/-0.27 mm) groups compared to the AF(-)CRP(-) (0.80+/-0.32 mm) and AF(+)CRP(-) (0.77+/-0.19 mm) groups (p=0.027). Although there was no significant difference in mean ICA IMT among the groups, plaque score was the highest in the AF(+)CRP(+) (4.18+/-3.84 mm) group, followed by AF(-)CRP(+) (3.87+/-2.78 mm), AF(+)CRP(-) (1.34+/-2.61 mm), and AF(-)CRP(-) (1.17+/-2.02 mm) (p<0.001). The AF(+)CRP(+) group showed significantly higher incidence of ischemic stroke than the other groups (all p<0.05). Binary logistic regression analysis showed that age {odds ratio (OR)=1.033, p=0.001}, elevated CRP (OR=3.884, p=0.001), and the presence of AF (OR=1.375, p=0.018) were significantly correlated with incidence of ischemic stroke. CONCLUSION: Elevated plasma CRP concentration may be a reliable surrogate marker for predicting carotid atherosclerosis in patients with AF, which may be related to increased risk of ischemic stroke.
Atrial Fibrillation* ; Biomarkers ; C-Reactive Protein* ; Carotid Artery Diseases* ; Carotid Artery, Common ; Carotid Artery, Internal ; Carotid Intima-Media Thickness ; Cohort Studies* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Inflammation ; Logistic Models ; Plasma ; Retrospective Studies* ; Stroke* ; Ultrasonography

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to asses the fetal loss rate after mid-trimester amniocentesis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study including singleton pregnant women who underwent mid-trimester amniocentesis at Cheil General Hospital from January 2008 through December 2010. The procedure-related fetal loss was defined as miscarriage within 2 weeks after amniocentesis. We evaluated the fetal loss rate within 2 weeks after amniocentesis and fetal loss rate before 24 gestational weeks. RESULTS: During the study period, a total of 4,356 singleton pregnant women underwent mid-trimester amniocentesis. A total of Five hundred ninety six women were excluded owing to follow up loss and termination of pregnancy due to abnormal karyotype or major anomaly. At our institute, the fetal loss rate within 2 weeks was 0.1% and before 24 gestational weeks was 0.3% after amniocentesis. CONCLUSION: The fetal loss rate after mid-trimester amniocentesis in our study is lower than previously reported rate. We suggest that amniocentesis is a safe procedure.
Abnormal Karyotype ; Abortion, Spontaneous ; Amniocentesis ; Cohort Studies ; Equidae ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Pregnancy ; Pregnant Women ; Retrospective Studies

Tuberculous optochiasmatic arachnoiditis (OCA) is a rare complication of tuberculous meningitis. We describe a 47-year-old female with tuberculous OCA confused with ethambutol-associated optic neuropathy. She was on anti-tuberculous treatment (i.e., isoniazid, rifampin, ethambutol, and pyrazinamide) for two months due to tuberculous meningitis. Visual impairment occurred during treatment, and ethambutol was changed to levofloxacin because of concern for ethambutol-associated optic neuropathy. Her visual impairment did not improve three months after anti-tuberculous treatment that excluded ethambutol, and she was referred to our hospital. Brain MRI showed enhancement of the optic chiasm and bilateral optic tract, and fundoscopy revealed bilateral optic nerve atrophy, suggesting tuberculous OCA. Her visual acuity was partially improved after anti-tuberculous treatment. Tuberculous OCA should be considered in addition to ethambutol-associated optic neuropathy for a patient with tuberculous meningitis who presents with visual impairment.
Arachnoid ; Arachnoiditis ; Atrophy ; Brain ; Ethambutol ; Female ; Humans ; Isoniazid ; Middle Aged ; Ofloxacin ; Optic Chiasm ; Optic Nerve ; Optic Nerve Diseases ; Rifampin ; Tuberculosis, Meningeal ; Vision Disorders ; Visual Acuity ; Visual Pathways