BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of speech mapping based on real ear measurement for routine hearing aid fitting and to compare functional gains for evaluating subjective satisfaction of hearing aid users. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Twenty two participants with bilateral symmetric (< 10 dB HL difference) sensorineural hearing loss were enrolled in this study. All participants were fitted unilateral hearing aids with speech mapping using the National Acoustic Laboratories-Nonlinear 2 formula. After the initial fitting, patients were followed with the 2nd and 3rd fitting at two weeks and six weeks, respectively, and measured for aided pure tone average (PTA), aided speech discrimination score (SDS), the difference between target gain and real ear insertion gain (REIG) using speech mapping and subjective satisfaction via Korean Adaptation of the International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids (K-IOI-HA) questionnaire before further fitting was performed. We analyzed correlation of each parameter at 2nd and 3rd fitting with the K-IOI-HA score. RESULTS: Every sequential aided PTA and SDS at 2nd fitting and 3rd fitting were significantly improved after repeated hearing aid fitting (all p < 0.01). In the correlation analysis between K-IOI-HA and each parameter, the aided PTA and aided SDS did not show significant correlations with subjective satisfaction from the 2nd and 3rd fittings. But the difference between the target gain and R EIG in speech mapping showed significant negative correlations with the satisfaction scores at various speech level (r=–0.609 to –0.709, all p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Speech mapping using real ear measurement was useful to expect subjective satisfaction of hearing aid users and it would be a valuable tool for fine tuning to achieve individual preferences.
Acoustics ; Auditory Threshold ; Ear ; Hearing Aids* ; Hearing Loss ; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural ; Hearing* ; Humans ; Methods ; Speech Perception

OBJECTIVES: The Korean version of the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) is the most widely used tool validated instrument for measuring and the level of disability associated with low back disorders. We wanted to validate use of the Korean version of the ODI in Korean farmers with low back pain. METHODS: The object of this study was to examine the reliability and validity of the Korean version of the ODI. The Korean version was tested on 53 farmers (62.3+/-10.3 years of age) with low back-related disorders. We investigated the Test-retest reliability, internal consistency, and construct validity of the ODI. The Test-retest reliability was assessed in 30 farmers within a time interval of approximately 14 to 18 days. Differences between the Korean version of the ODI and the Short Form 12 (SF-12), which includes 8 domains (general health, physical functioning, role-physical limitation, bodily pain, role-emotional limitation, mental health, vitality, social functioning) were analyzed for construct validity. The correlation of the Korean version of the ODI with the SF-12 was analyzed, as well. RESULTS: The intra-class correlation coefficient of test-retest reliability was 0.854. Reliability estimated by the internal consistency reached a Cronbach's alpha of 0.879. The correlation between 7 domains of the SF-12 except for the mental health domain and the Korean version of the ODI was statistically significant (p<0.05). Four domains (general health, physical functioning, role-physical limitation, bodily pain) that measured physical status all showed high correlations (p<0.01), as did a domain that measured mental status (role-emotional limitation) (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that the Korean version of the ODI is a reliable and valid instrument to measure the level of disability in Korean farmers with low back-related disorders. The use of this instrument is recommended for future clinical trials in Korea.
Korea ; Low Back Pain ; Mental Health ; Pilot Projects ; Reproducibility of Results

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Practical concerns about transradial approach are increasing in consideration of high procedural success rate, low local complications, and patient's convenience. There was no available data about repeated-use of radial artery for coronary procedures. We evaluate the changes of radial arterial diameter and procedural outcomes of repeated transradial procedure. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Of consecutive 1771 transradial coronary procedures, 117 patients received repeated transradial procedures through the same radial artery. Radial arterial diameter, vascular access time and procedural outcomes were evaluated in between the group of first-use and repeated-use of radial artery. RESULTS: Among 117 patients of second transradial coronary procedure in the repeated-use group, 47 patients (41.6%) underwent coronary intervention and 66 patients (58.4%) underwent coronary angiography. The right radial approach was used in 82.9% of the cases. There was no significant difference in radial artery mean diameter between pre-procedure and 1 day after procedure in patients with first-use and repeated-use group. There was no significant change of radial arterial diameter after first-use depending on the SAR (the ratio of sheath outer diameter to radial artery inner diameter). However, after repeated-use of radial artery, there was significant reduction of radial arterial diameter 1 day after procedure in the patients with SAR more than 0.9 (p<0.05). In repeated-use group, the mean radial arterial diameter was 2.63 +/- 0.35mm mm before the procedure and 2.51 +/- 0.29mm during follow-up (136 +/- 123 days) (p<0.05). There was no significant difference of the vascular access time between the first-use and repeated-use procedures (2.9+/-3.1 vs 3.3+/-3.6 minutes, p<0.05). The procedural success and vascular complication rate of repeated-use of radial artery were as similar to those of the first-use, but total occlusion of radial artery was higher in the repeated-use group (2.6% vs 0.7%, p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The diameter of radial artery after transradial procedures was significantly reduced during follow-up and the incidence of asymptomatic radial artery occlusion was more frequent after repeated-use. However, repeated-use of radial artery was feasible in most patients with high procedural success rate and low vascular complications.
Coronary Angiography ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Incidence ; Radial Artery*

Behcet's disease is a disorder of a multisystemic involvement with unknown etiology. Involvement of the cardiovascular system and intestinal tract are rare, but serious complications. We present a case with Behcet's disease demonstrating aneurysm of the abdominal aorta as well as hemorrhagic ileal ulcerative lesions and requiring surgical treatment.
Aneurysm* ; Aorta, Abdominal* ; Aortic Aneurysm ; Behcet Syndrome ; Cardiovascular System ; Ileitis ; Ileum* ; Ulcer*

Coronary artery perforation is a rare and serious complication in coronary angioplasty. Some patients complicated by coronary perforation may develop cardiac tamponade, which is generally due to massive hemorrhage in the pericardial space between the epicardium and the pericardium. We report a case of coronary artery perforation producing impending tamponade, which was successfully treated by transcatheter embolization of distal circumflex artery using polyvinyl alcohol.
Angioplasty ; Arteries* ; Cardiac Tamponade ; Coronary Vessels ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Pericardium ; Polyvinyl Alcohol* ; Polyvinyls*

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The radial artery has currently been regarded as a useful vascular access site for coronary procedures. We want to evaluate the incidence and clinical significance of anomalous branching pattern and tortuosity of radial artery. MATERIALS AND METHOD: From May 1997 to May 1999, retrograde radial artery angiography was performed in 1191 cases. Branching anomaly and tortuosity of upper extremity artery, procedure times and local vascular complications were analyzed. RESULTS: 1) Anomalous radial arterial branching was found in 3.2%. Most common one was high origin of the radial artery (2.4%). 2) Tortuosity of radial artery was found in 4.2%. Most common tortuosity were S shape in 1.8% and omega shape in 1.8% of cases. 3) Cross over to other artery, radial artery occlusion and perforation occurred in 24 cases, 6 cases and 4 cases, respectively. Prolonged procedure times, crossover to other artery and radial artery perforation was related with tortuosity of radial artery, not with anomalous branching. CONCLUSION: The incidence in branching anomaly and tortuosity of radial artery was not frequent in our study. Radial artery tortuosity was associated with old age, prolonged procedure time and radial artery perforation. In selected cases, pre- or intra-procedural angiographic assessment of radial artery might be helpful in performing safe procedure.
Angiography ; Arteries ; Incidence ; Radial Artery* ; Upper Extremity

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In a previous study, LB30057 was found to inhibit smooth muscle cell proliferation in a dose dependent manner, and prolonged 1 4-day oral administration of LB30057 is effective in reducing the neointimal hyperplasia in a rat carotid balloon injury model. The prolonged administration of LB30057, an orally active direct thrombin inhibitor, was evaluated and found to be a potential inhibitor of restenosis in a porcine coronary injury model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An oversized balloon injury and a stent injury were given to the right coronary artery and left anterior descending artery, respectively, in the porcine model. LB30057 (50mg/kg) or a placebo was administrated for 28 days, using an osmotic pump, starting 6 hours prior to the injury until sacrifice on the 28th day. The drug concentration and antithrombotic effects (aPTT, thrombin-anti thrombin complex levels) were measured, and a histo-morphometric analysis performed 28 days later. RESULTS: The drug concentrations were 271+/-1 24 and 67+/-52 ng/mL on days 1 and 28 after injury in the drug group. The TAT (thrombin-antithrombin complex) levels were significantly lower in the drug than the control group on the 2nd and 7th days after injury (p<0.05). There were no significant differences in the injury scores, and the luminal, intimal and medial areas between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Prolonged administration of LB30057, using an osmotic pump, was not effective in reducing the restenosis in our pig coronary injury model.
Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Arteries ; Coronary Disease ; Coronary Restenosis ; Coronary Vessels ; Hyperplasia ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; Phenobarbital ; Rats ; Stents ; Thrombin*

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Despite the proven benefit of cholesterol- lowering therapy in patients with CAD, there is no consensual opinion on guideline of cholesterol-lowering therapy in patients with CAD in Korea. The aim of this study is to evaluate the risk of CAD according to the cholesterol level and to consider current guideline of cholesterol-lowering therapy for the secondary prevention in patients with CAD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Consecutive 600 patients were assigned into two groups - coronary artery disease group (364 patients) and normal coronary artery group (236 patients) - depending on the coronary angiographic findings. Lipid profiles (total cholesterol, Triglyceride, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol) were obtained and the odd ratio of CAD was evaluated according to the national cholesterol education program treatment guideline (NCEP: LDL cholesterol > or = 130 mg/dl) and the national heath insurance treatment guideline (NHI: total cholesterol > or = 220 mg/dl) by multi-variate logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: According to the NHI and NCEP guideline, the proportion of patients with CAD indicated on cholesterol-lowering therapy were 25%, 36.5% respectively and the odd ratio of CAD was 1.00 (95% CI 0.52 - 1.89, p=0.99), 4.89 (95% CI 2.78 - 8.60, p< 0.01) respectively . CONCLUSIONS: Our data showed that LDL-cholesterol > or = 130 mg/dl only reflected the risk of CAD in both guidelines and more proportion of the patients were indicated on cholesterol-lowering therapy in NCEP guideline than in NHI guideline.
Cholesterol ; Cholesterol, LDL ; Coronary Artery Disease* ; Coronary Vessels* ; Education ; Humans ; Insurance ; Korea ; Logistic Models ; Secondary Prevention ; Triglycerides

Anorexia nervosa is a kind of dietary disorder which causes amenorhea, weight loss, behavioral changes, and its hormonal status is typical hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism. The patients with anorexia nervosa showed many hormonal and chemical abonormal findings, like decresed follicular stimulating hormone, decreased lutealizing hormone and estrogen, increased cortisol, hypokalemia, hypercarotenemia. But tissue mineral contents of anorexia nervosa were not reported. We experience the typical increase of tissue copper contents in three anorexia nervosa patients in recent days, so report them with reviews of literatures.
Anorexia ; Anorexia Nervosa ; Copper ; Estrogens ; Hair ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone ; Hypogonadism ; Hypokalemia ; Weight Loss

In antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APS), multiple thromboses affecting large arteries and veins through the whole body is rare. In this report, a case of a 65 year old women suffering from APS with multiple thromboses of the renal and iliac artery, the infrarenal abdominal aorta, the deep vein, and a pulmonary thromboembolism is presented. The patient was treated successfully with intensive anticoagulation and steroid pulse therapy. There was no evidence of recurrent thrombotic complications during a three year follow-up period with oral warfarin and prednisolone
Aged ; Antibodies, Antiphospholipid* ; Antiphospholipid Syndrome* ; Aorta, Abdominal* ; Arteries ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Iliac Artery ; Prednisolone ; Pulmonary Embolism ; Thrombosis* ; Veins ; Warfarin