BACKGROUND: To comparatively analysis the epidemiological changes in the acute drug intoxication between 1980s and 1990s. METHODS: We reviewed retrospectively the medical records of the patients with acute drug intoxication in the emergency department of the Inha hospital from June 1986 to April 1987 and from June 1996 to May 1997. And we performed comparative analysis between two result. RESULTS: The ratio of the acute drug intoxication in the emergency medical center was reduced significantly in 1990s against 1980s. Sexual ratio and prevalent age group has no significant interval changes between 1980s and 1990s. The prevalent seasons were Spring in 1980s and Summer in 1990s but has no significance. The most commonly used drugs was rodentides in 1980s and hypnosedatives in 1990s and shown significant interval changes. The most common motive was suicidal attempts in both 1980s and 1990s, but significantly reduced. After emergency treatment the rate of curative-discharge has improved and the rate of admission has decreased significantly in 1990s against 1980s. The most critical agent was agricultural chemicals in both 1980s and 1990s. The mortality rate has no significant interval changes. CONCLUSION: There were some significant interval changes of the acute drug intoxication in prevalence rate, commonly used drugs, ratio of suicidal attempt and curative-discharge rate between 1980s and 1990s. New education programs far preventing acute drug intoxication and strict legal control of drugs are important and necessary.
Agrochemicals ; Education ; Emergencies ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Emergency Treatment ; Humans ; Medical Records ; Mortality ; Prevalence ; Retrospective Studies ; Seasons

No abstract available.
Calcium* ; T-Lymphocytes*

BACKGROUND: A and B transferase are glycosyltransferase that transfer N-acetylgalactosamine and D- galactose to H antigen, respectively and lead to the expression of A and B phenotypes in ABO blood group system. Reduced or no activities of serum A and B transferase were observed in some A and B subgroup individuals. Determining the activities of serum A and B transferase can be useful in discriminating rare A and B subgroups. MATERIALS AND METHODS: ABO typing, saliva test, adsorption elution test and serum transferase assay were performed on samples from 12 individuals showing ABO discrepancy or weakened cell typing reactions which were referred to the Seoul National University Hospital to confirm their ABO blood types. Serum transferase activity was assayed by determining the ability of serum to convert group 0 RBCs into A or B cells. RESULTS: Determination of serum ABO transferase activity was useful in the identification of Ael (3 cases), B. (2 cases), Bm (1 case), Am (1 case), Bx (1 case), 0 with weakened anti-A or anti-B (3 cases), and A without anti-B due to hypogammaglobulinemia (1 case). CONCLUSION: Determining serum A and B glycosyltransferase activity was proven to be a simple and useful tool for the classification of several ABO subgroups.(Korean J Blood Transfusion 10(1): 27-33, 1999)
ABO Blood-Group System ; Adsorption ; Agammaglobulinemia ; B-Lymphocytes ; Blood Transfusion ; Classification* ; Galactose ; Phenotype ; Saliva ; Seoul ; Transferases

BACKGROUND: Dizziness is a common complaint in patients presenting to the emergency room and that has various pathologic causes. This study investigate the clinical differences in dizziness between the central origin and the peripheral origin and to provides the clues far diagnosis and proper treatment. METHODS: We analysed 290 patients with dizziness during 12 months period prospectively, who visited in ED, Inha University Hospital from Jan. 1997 to Dec. 1997. We analysized sex ratio, characteristics of the dizziness, associated past illness, associated symptoms, severity, results of the special radiologic study, nystagmus type, and causes of central origin and peripheral origin dizziness. RESULTS: Male to female ratio was 1:1.4 in central origin(n=165) and 1:2.0 in peripheral origin(n=125). Most common age group was 11th decade in both groups. According to the characteristics of the dizziness, rotation sense was the main complaint of the peripheral origin dizziness. Most common past illness was hypertension in both groups. MRI has diagnostic priority than CT scan in central origin dizziness. Types of nystagmus has some significant differences between two groups. CONCLUSION: Dizziness may represented as a sign of significant pathological neurologic status especially in central origin. So we must precisely evaluate the patient history, neurologic examination of the inner ear and CNS, and special radiologic study incliding MRI.
Diagnosis ; Dizziness* ; Ear, Inner ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Neurologic Examination ; Prospective Studies ; Sex Ratio ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

We present two cases of linear lichen simplex chronicus. One is a 44-year-old male patient who had a linear licbenified patch on the left upper extremity, and the other is a 45-year-old female patient who had linear pruriginous nodules on the right lower extremity. The one is coincidental with localized lichen simplex chronicus, the other is coincidental with prurigo nodularis histopathologically.
Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Lichens* ; Lower Extremity ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neurodermatitis* ; Prurigo ; Upper Extremity

Human sparganosis is not uncommon and over 60 cases are reported in Korea but the case infested with multiple spargana is rare. The case we are reporting here is a 33 year-old Korean male having had an abscess and several bean-sized nodules on the left thigh. The patient had the history of eating frogs as a tonic food 3 years ago. Five spargana were removed from the lesions by surgical excision. Two of them were alive and other three were degenerated or calcified.
Abscess ; Adult ; Eating ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Scabies* ; Sparganosis ; Thigh

No abstract available.

No abstract available.

A 22-year-old male has had multiple, grouped, asymptomatic, yellowish flat papules, nodules, and plaques on the knees, elbows, butteeks, hands, and feet. Yellowish nodules first appeared on the heels after birth, and gradually increased in size and number and spread to the knees, elbows, buttocks, and hands. Physical examination revealed normaI except for the skin lesions. Gross finding of the serum was clear and paper electrophoresis revealed marked increase in betalipo-protein and mild increase in prebetalipoprotein, suggesting type II hyperlipoproteinemia Serum cholesterol was 510 mg%, and serum triglyceride was 190mg%. Histopathology showed many aggregates of foam cells on H-E stain and many lipid droplets in the dermis on oil red O stain.
Buttocks ; Cholesterol ; Dermis ; Elbow ; Electrophoresis, Paper ; Foam Cells ; Foot ; Hand ; Heel ; Humans ; Hyperlipoproteinemia Type II* ; Knee ; Male ; Parturition ; Physical Examination ; Skin ; Triglycerides ; Xanthomatosis* ; Young Adult

No abstract available.
Humans ; Shoulder*