Background/Aims: The use of 1-L polyethylene glycol with ascorbate (PEG/Asc) and oral sulfate tablets (OST) as low-volume bowel preparation agents has gradually increased. However, these agents may induce acute gastropathy during bowel preparation, particularly in elderly populations. This study aimed to compare the incidence of acute gastropathy of 1-L PEG/Asc and OST according to age, as well as efficacy and safety. Methods: This retrospective study included patients who underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and colonoscopy for screening on the same day and underwent bowel preparation using OST or 1-L PEG/Asc. We collected EGD findings related to acute gastropathy, bowel-cleansing score using the Boston Bowel Preparation Scale (BBPS), polyp or adenoma detection rate (ADR), and laboratory parameters. Results: Of 4,711 patients, 1,758, 2,241, and 712 were in the younger (18–49 years), middle-aged (50–64 years), and older (≥65 years) groups, respectively. In all age groups, the OST group had higher rates of acute gastropathy than the 1-L PEG/Asc group. The younger-, middle-, and older-aged groups had OST and 1-L PEG/Asc usage rates of 42.9% and 11.6%, 41.2% and 16.0%, and 41.5% and 16.4%, respectively. Notably, in the younger group, the total BBPS and ADR scores were significantly higher in the OST group than in the 1-L PEG/Asc group; however, these did not differ in the other age groups. Conclusions Acute gastropathy was more strongly associated with OST than with 1-L PEG/Asc in all age groups. Therefore, physicians should consider acute gastropathy associated with low-volume agents in all age groups when performing bowel preparation.

Background/Aims: The use of 1-L polyethylene glycol with ascorbate (PEG/Asc) and oral sulfate tablets (OST) as low-volume bowel preparation agents has gradually increased. However, these agents may induce acute gastropathy during bowel preparation, particularly in elderly populations. This study aimed to compare the incidence of acute gastropathy of 1-L PEG/Asc and OST according to age, as well as efficacy and safety. Methods: This retrospective study included patients who underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and colonoscopy for screening on the same day and underwent bowel preparation using OST or 1-L PEG/Asc. We collected EGD findings related to acute gastropathy, bowel-cleansing score using the Boston Bowel Preparation Scale (BBPS), polyp or adenoma detection rate (ADR), and laboratory parameters. Results: Of 4,711 patients, 1,758, 2,241, and 712 were in the younger (18–49 years), middle-aged (50–64 years), and older (≥65 years) groups, respectively. In all age groups, the OST group had higher rates of acute gastropathy than the 1-L PEG/Asc group. The younger-, middle-, and older-aged groups had OST and 1-L PEG/Asc usage rates of 42.9% and 11.6%, 41.2% and 16.0%, and 41.5% and 16.4%, respectively. Notably, in the younger group, the total BBPS and ADR scores were significantly higher in the OST group than in the 1-L PEG/Asc group; however, these did not differ in the other age groups. Conclusions Acute gastropathy was more strongly associated with OST than with 1-L PEG/Asc in all age groups. Therefore, physicians should consider acute gastropathy associated with low-volume agents in all age groups when performing bowel preparation.

Background/Aims: The use of 1-L polyethylene glycol with ascorbate (PEG/Asc) and oral sulfate tablets (OST) as low-volume bowel preparation agents has gradually increased. However, these agents may induce acute gastropathy during bowel preparation, particularly in elderly populations. This study aimed to compare the incidence of acute gastropathy of 1-L PEG/Asc and OST according to age, as well as efficacy and safety. Methods: This retrospective study included patients who underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and colonoscopy for screening on the same day and underwent bowel preparation using OST or 1-L PEG/Asc. We collected EGD findings related to acute gastropathy, bowel-cleansing score using the Boston Bowel Preparation Scale (BBPS), polyp or adenoma detection rate (ADR), and laboratory parameters. Results: Of 4,711 patients, 1,758, 2,241, and 712 were in the younger (18–49 years), middle-aged (50–64 years), and older (≥65 years) groups, respectively. In all age groups, the OST group had higher rates of acute gastropathy than the 1-L PEG/Asc group. The younger-, middle-, and older-aged groups had OST and 1-L PEG/Asc usage rates of 42.9% and 11.6%, 41.2% and 16.0%, and 41.5% and 16.4%, respectively. Notably, in the younger group, the total BBPS and ADR scores were significantly higher in the OST group than in the 1-L PEG/Asc group; however, these did not differ in the other age groups. Conclusions Acute gastropathy was more strongly associated with OST than with 1-L PEG/Asc in all age groups. Therefore, physicians should consider acute gastropathy associated with low-volume agents in all age groups when performing bowel preparation.

Background/Aims: The use of 1-L polyethylene glycol with ascorbate (PEG/Asc) and oral sulfate tablets (OST) as low-volume bowel preparation agents has gradually increased. However, these agents may induce acute gastropathy during bowel preparation, particularly in elderly populations. This study aimed to compare the incidence of acute gastropathy of 1-L PEG/Asc and OST according to age, as well as efficacy and safety. Methods: This retrospective study included patients who underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and colonoscopy for screening on the same day and underwent bowel preparation using OST or 1-L PEG/Asc. We collected EGD findings related to acute gastropathy, bowel-cleansing score using the Boston Bowel Preparation Scale (BBPS), polyp or adenoma detection rate (ADR), and laboratory parameters. Results: Of 4,711 patients, 1,758, 2,241, and 712 were in the younger (18–49 years), middle-aged (50–64 years), and older (≥65 years) groups, respectively. In all age groups, the OST group had higher rates of acute gastropathy than the 1-L PEG/Asc group. The younger-, middle-, and older-aged groups had OST and 1-L PEG/Asc usage rates of 42.9% and 11.6%, 41.2% and 16.0%, and 41.5% and 16.4%, respectively. Notably, in the younger group, the total BBPS and ADR scores were significantly higher in the OST group than in the 1-L PEG/Asc group; however, these did not differ in the other age groups. Conclusions Acute gastropathy was more strongly associated with OST than with 1-L PEG/Asc in all age groups. Therefore, physicians should consider acute gastropathy associated with low-volume agents in all age groups when performing bowel preparation.

Background/Aims: The use of 1-L polyethylene glycol with ascorbate (PEG/Asc) and oral sulfate tablets (OST) as low-volume bowel preparation agents has gradually increased. However, these agents may induce acute gastropathy during bowel preparation, particularly in elderly populations. This study aimed to compare the incidence of acute gastropathy of 1-L PEG/Asc and OST according to age, as well as efficacy and safety. Methods: This retrospective study included patients who underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and colonoscopy for screening on the same day and underwent bowel preparation using OST or 1-L PEG/Asc. We collected EGD findings related to acute gastropathy, bowel-cleansing score using the Boston Bowel Preparation Scale (BBPS), polyp or adenoma detection rate (ADR), and laboratory parameters. Results: Of 4,711 patients, 1,758, 2,241, and 712 were in the younger (18–49 years), middle-aged (50–64 years), and older (≥65 years) groups, respectively. In all age groups, the OST group had higher rates of acute gastropathy than the 1-L PEG/Asc group. The younger-, middle-, and older-aged groups had OST and 1-L PEG/Asc usage rates of 42.9% and 11.6%, 41.2% and 16.0%, and 41.5% and 16.4%, respectively. Notably, in the younger group, the total BBPS and ADR scores were significantly higher in the OST group than in the 1-L PEG/Asc group; however, these did not differ in the other age groups. Conclusions Acute gastropathy was more strongly associated with OST than with 1-L PEG/Asc in all age groups. Therefore, physicians should consider acute gastropathy associated with low-volume agents in all age groups when performing bowel preparation.

Background/Aims: Utilization of low-volume preparation agents is crucial to improve patient willingness to undergo repeat colonoscopies. However, gastric safety data on preparation agents are limited. This study evaluated the acute gastropathy associated with bowel preparation agents. Methods: This retrospective study enrolled healthy subjects who underwent both esophagogastroduodenoscopy and colonoscopy screening. Baseline patient characteristics, bowel preparation success, acute gastropathy, and polyp and adenoma detection rates were evaluated for 1 L polyethylene glycol with ascorbic acid (1 L PEG/Asc) and oral sulfate tablet (OST) groups. Results: Comparison of the OST group (n=2,463) with the 1 L PEG/Asc group (n=2,060) revealed that the rates of successful cleansing and high-quality cleansing were similar between the two groups. Polyp and adenoma detection rates were significantly higher in the OST group than in the 1 L PEG/Asc group (p<0.001 and p=0.013), while the incidence of acute gastric mucosal lesion-like blood stain/clot, erosions at greater curvature side of antrum/body, multiple erosions, and overlying mucosal erythema or edema were all significantly higher in the OST group than in the 1 L PEG/Asc group (all p<0.001). Additionally, high and indeterminate probability scores of preparation agent-induced gastropathy (p=0.001) and mean Lanza scores were significantly higher in the OST group than in the 1 L PEG/Asc group (1.3 vs. 0.4, p<0.001). Conclusions Compared with 1 L PEG/Asc, OSTs were significantly associated with acute gastropathy during bowel preparation, thus requiring careful consideration from physicians for the simultaneous screening of EGD and colonoscopy.

PURPOSE: Depression is associated with increased inflammation and cardiovascular disease. And in patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD), depression is a common problem and cardiovascular disease is the main cause of death. The aim of this study is to investigate the association of depression with various inflammatory markers and with some cardiovascular risk factors in ESRD patients on hemodialysis METHODS: 53 patients with ESRD on maintenance hemodialysis were divided into depressive symptom (BDI> or =11) group and control (BDI < 11) group by the 21-items Becks depression inventory (BDI). We collected patients characteristics and laboratory measurements by medical records. And then, we measured the levels of IL-10 and TNF-alpha a and analyzed the genotype of IL-10 and TNF-alpha a promoter area. RESULTS: The levels of TNF-alpha, CRP and ferritin were significantly higher in depressive symptom group (p=0.001, 0.04, 0.02) and IL-10 concentration tended to be lower in depressive symptom group (p= 0.05). The prevalence of left ventricular hypertrophy was higher in depressive symptom group than in the control group (44% vs 9%, p=0.01). GG genotype known as high IL-10 producer was less common in depressive symptom group than in control group (8% vs 36%, p=0.039). CONCLUSION: Increased inflammation, high left ventricular hypertrophy prevalence and low ejection fraction were observed in depressive hemodialysis patients. Further prospective study is needed to clarify the role of depression in the development of inflammation and cardiovascular disease in ESRD patients.
Cardiovascular Diseases ; Cause of Death ; Depression ; Ferritins ; Genotype ; Humans ; Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular ; Inflammation ; Interleukin-10 ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; Medical Records ; Prevalence ; Renal Dialysis ; Risk Factors ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the surgical outcomes of two different surgical methods for varicocelectomy, and to assess the effects of varicocelectomy on semen parameters in subinfertile men. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 63 patients with clinically palpable varicocele and abnormal semen parameters who underwent varicocelectomy. Thirty-three patients underwent laparoscopic varicocelectomy, and 30 received microsurgical inguinal varicocelectomy. Semen analyses were performed 5.3 months later, and compared with the pre-operative data. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 32.1+/-1.3 years old. Comparison of the semen parameters between pre and post-varicocelectomy revealed significant improvement in the sperm count (p<0.05). In laparoscopic and microsurgical inguinal varicocelectomy, the sperm counts were increased from 16.2+/-4.3 to 30.6+/-7.5 and from 15.4+/-3.8 to 37.5+/-7.7, respectively. Sperm motility also tended to improve. CONCLUSIONS: Varicocelectomy enhanced semen parameters after both laparoscopic and microsurgical methods. In subfertile men, early varicocelectomy is recommended.
Humans ; Male ; Semen ; Semen Analysis ; Sperm Count ; Sperm Motility ; Varicocele

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the surgical outcomes of two different surgical methods for varicocelectomy, and to assess the effects of varicocelectomy on semen parameters in subinfertile men. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 63 patients with clinically palpable varicocele and abnormal semen parameters who underwent varicocelectomy. Thirty-three patients underwent laparoscopic varicocelectomy, and 30 received microsurgical inguinal varicocelectomy. Semen analyses were performed 5.3 months later, and compared with the pre-operative data. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 32.1+/-1.3 years old. Comparison of the semen parameters between pre and post-varicocelectomy revealed significant improvement in the sperm count (p<0.05). In laparoscopic and microsurgical inguinal varicocelectomy, the sperm counts were increased from 16.2+/-4.3 to 30.6+/-7.5 and from 15.4+/-3.8 to 37.5+/-7.7, respectively. Sperm motility also tended to improve. CONCLUSIONS: Varicocelectomy enhanced semen parameters after both laparoscopic and microsurgical methods. In subfertile men, early varicocelectomy is recommended.
Humans ; Male ; Semen ; Semen Analysis ; Sperm Count ; Sperm Motility ; Varicocele

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: An anatomic variant of left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD), termed "dual LAD", consists of early bifurcation of the proximal LAD into one early terminating branch (short LAD) which remains in the anterior interventricular sulcus (AIVS) and doesn't reach the apex, and the second (long LAD), which has a variable course outside the AIVS but returns to the distal sulcus and continues to the apex. Its incidence, angiographic features and clinical significance are investigated. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Consecutive 696 coronary angiograms during October 1997 through August 1998 were analyzed. RESULTS: A dual LAD variant was noted in 45 patients (6%) of the 696 patients. Type I, in which the long LAD descends on the left ventricular side of the AIVS before reentering the AIVS, was noted in 24 patients (53%) and type II, in which the long LAD descends on the right ventricular side of the AIVS before reentering the AIVS, in 21(47%). First septal branch was commonly originated from LAD proper in both type (54% vs 52%), but first diagonal branch from LAD proper (63%) in type I, from short LAD (71%) in type II. Presence of dual LAD was recognized before percutaneous coronary intervention (10) or bypass surgery (2) in 12 (63%) of 19 patients. Regional wall motion abnormalities (RWMA) were localized in distal septum or anterolateral wall in 2 patients with short or long LAD obstruction, respectively. CONCLUSION: Recognition of dual LAD is essential to prevent errors of interpretation of the coronary angiogram, to plan optimal strategy for percutaneous coronary intervention or bypass surgery, especially in case of total occlusion, and to understand localized septal or anterolateral RWMA.
Coronary Vessels* ; Humans ; Incidence* ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention