BACKGROUND: It is known that the blood collection tube used can cause fluctuations in laboratory test results. We compared test results obtained when blood was collected in V-tube (AB Medical, Korea), BD Vacutainer Tubes (BD, USA), and Greiner Vacuette Tubes (Greiner, USA) in clinical chemistry and thyroid hormone assays. METHODS: One hundred volunteers from three hospitals were recruited and the peripheral blood samples were collected in each of the three serum separation tubes (SSTs). These samples were used for 28 routine clinical chemistry assays and three thyroid hormone assays. The results were analyzed by the Student paired t-test and the Bland-Altman plot. For stability tests, the initial results were compared with the day 1 (24±2 hours), day 3 (72±2 hours), and day 7 (168±2 hours) results, respectively. RESULTS: The difference in the test results obtained from the samples in each tube (V-Tube vs. BD-Tube, V-Tube vs. Greiner-Tube, and BD-Tube vs. Greiner-Tube) were satisfied with the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 allowable difference ranges. Except for four analytes (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, magnesium, potassium, and thyroid-stimulating hormone), all analytes were within the allowable critical difference range based on biological variability. The paired t-test revealed significant differences between the results of nine assays for samples in V-Tube vs. BD-Tube and seven assays for samples in V-Tube vs. Greiner-Tube, but each set of results showed good correlations. The test results on different days showed a significant difference in several assays, but they were within the allowable difference range. CONCLUSIONS: The assay results for blood samples collected in SST V-Tubes were comparable to those obtained when blood was collected in BD Tubes and Greiner Tubes, and the blood collected in V-Tubes also showed excellent results in the stability tests.
Chemistry ; Chemistry, Clinical* ; Cholesterol ; Humans ; Lipoproteins ; Magnesium ; Potassium ; Thyroid Gland* ; Vacuum* ; Volunteers

Actinomycosis is a chronic and suppurative infection caused by an endogenous Gram-positive bacterium. The usual sites of infection are the head and neck, thorax, and abdomen. Primary cutaneous actinomycosis is very rare and usually associated with external trauma and local ischemia. We report on the case of a primary cutaneous actinomycosis of the nasolabial fold in a 70-year-old woman. The patient had a well-defined subcutaneous nodule on the nasolabial fold without any other lesion. The patient was treated successfully with surgical resection and combined antibiotic therapy. There has been no recurrence during the 3 months period of follow-up.
Abdomen ; Actinomycosis* ; Aged ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Head ; Humans ; Ischemia ; Nasolabial Fold* ; Neck ; Recurrence ; Thorax

PURPOSE: In Korea, vivax malaria re-emerged in 1993 and the outbreak continued in several areas near the DMZ until now. This study was conducted to define the epidemiologic pattern of malaria in Korea and to examine the changes comparing to the one in 1999. METHODS: We collected information about civilian, veteran patients through the National malaria surveillance system and soldier from the Ministry of National Defense. We analyze epidemiological characteristics of malaria by groups (civilian, veteran, soldier). RESULTS: The reported cases of malaria in 2000 were 4,142 that number is an increase of 14% in numbers compared with those of 1999's. Most of cases occured in 17 counties nearby DMZ and from May to October(98.7%) seasonally. The incidence rates (per 100,000) in 2000 by residence were 17.0 in Gangwon-Do, 15.5 in Incheon Metropolitan city, 10.3 in Gyeonggi-Do was dereased. The risk area in 2000 were 17 counties located nearly DMZ and the high risk area were 5 counties where the incidence rate greater than 100. In case of civilian and veteran, the time required to diagnosis from onset of symptom was 8.1 days on the average. CONCLUSION: Epidemiologic pattern of malaria in 2000 did not differ from the one in 1999. Et showed regional spread (increasing risk area) but incidence rate was lowered in the high risk area of 1999. And it is necessary that we pay more attention to Gangwon-Do and Incheon metrocity to reduce the incidence rate in 2001.
Diagnosis ; Epidemiology* ; Gangwon-do ; Gyeonggi-do ; Humans ; Incheon ; Incidence ; Korea* ; Malaria* ; Malaria, Vivax ; Military Personnel ; Seasons ; Veterans

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explore the differential effects of multi-dimensional perfectionism on academic achievement, depression, engagement, and burnout in medical students. Also, the mediating effects of engagement on perfectionism and academic achievement, as well as the effects of burnout on perfectionism and depression, were examined. METHODS: Two hundred eight medical students participated, and 167 students completed questionnaires, including the Frost Multi-dimensional Perfectionism Scale (FMPS), Hewitt & Flett Multi-dimensional Perfectionism Scale (HFMPS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Schaufeli Engagement Scale (SES), and Malslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey (MBI-GS). Academic achievement was measured as the grade point average (GPA) of the previous semester. Data were analyzed by correlation analyses, independent t-tests, and Structural Equation Model (SEM) for path analysis. RESULTS: Adaptive perfectionism (personal standard, self-oriented perfectionism) was associated with GPA (r=0.164, p<0.05; r=0.173, p<0.05) and engagement (r=0.394, p<0.01; r=0.449, p<0.01), and maladaptive perfectionism (parental criticism, concern over mistakes, socially prescribed perfectionism) was associated with depression (r=0.208, p<0.01; r=0.254, p<0.01; r=0.234, p<0.01) and burnout (r=0.218, p<0.01; r=0.236, p<0.01; r=0.280, p<0.01). Engagement had mediating effects on adaptive perfectionism and GPA, and burnout had mediating effects on maladaptive perfectionism and depression. Students who experienced academic failure had lower engagement than those who did not. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that academic achievement and emotional difficulties such as depression are determined by adaptive and maladaptive perfectionism, respectively, in medical students.
Achievement ; Adaptation, Psychological ; Burnout, Professional ; Depression ; Humans ; Negotiating ; Students, Medical ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Hennekam syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive disorder resulting from malformation of the lymphatic system. The characteristic signs of Hennekam syndrome are lymphangiectasia, lymph edema, facial anomalies, and mental retardation. This is a case in which a patient presented with left-arm lymphedema, facial-feature anomalies, and multiple organ lymphangiectasia consistent with symptoms of Hennekam syndrome. There is no curative therapy at this time, but rehabilitative treatments including complete decongestive therapy for edema control appeared to be beneficial.
Edema ; Humans ; Intellectual Disability ; Lymphatic System ; Lymphedema

Cyclic neutropenia (CN) is a rare disorder characterized by repetitive episodes of neutropenia and is generally associated with fever, oral mucosal ulcers, and bacterial infections in the neutropenic episodes. It usually manifests initially in infancy or childhood as an autosomal dominant or sporadic condition; however, adult-onset CN may have an autoimmune etiology. Here, we report the first case of a 22-year old man with CN in Korea. He developed acute arthralgia and fever 4 weeks after an episode of lower gastrointestinal symptoms. Serial blood cell counts showed recurrent neutropenia at 3 week intervals. Further, laboratory examination for neutropenia, including neutrophil elastase gene sequencing, did not reveal any abnormality. His arthritis and periarthritis fluctuated during his course. Under the diagnosis of CN, he received regular G-CSF therapy with partial improvement.
Arthralgia ; Arthritis ; Bacterial Infections ; Blood Cell Count ; Fever ; Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor ; Humans ; Korea ; Leukocyte Elastase ; Neutropenia ; Periarthritis ; Ulcer

Cyclic neutropenia (CN) is a rare disorder characterized by repetitive episodes of neutropenia and is generally associated with fever, oral mucosal ulcers, and bacterial infections in the neutropenic episodes. It usually manifests initially in infancy or childhood as an autosomal dominant or sporadic condition; however, adult-onset CN may have an autoimmune etiology. Here, we report the first case of a 22-year old man with CN in Korea. He developed acute arthralgia and fever 4 weeks after an episode of lower gastrointestinal symptoms. Serial blood cell counts showed recurrent neutropenia at 3 week intervals. Further, laboratory examination for neutropenia, including neutrophil elastase gene sequencing, did not reveal any abnormality. His arthritis and periarthritis fluctuated during his course. Under the diagnosis of CN, he received regular G-CSF therapy with partial improvement.
Arthralgia ; Arthritis ; Bacterial Infections ; Blood Cell Count ; Fever ; Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor ; Humans ; Korea ; Leukocyte Elastase ; Neutropenia ; Periarthritis ; Ulcer

BACKGROUND: In 2000~2001 there was a nationwide outbreak of measles in the Republic of Korea. Since supplementary vaccination program was implemented in 2001, the control strategy of this measles outbreak has been stepped up from the control phase to the elimination phase. We here present the result of survey for the epidemiologic characteristics of the nationwide outbreak of measles in 2000~2001. METHODS: Using the data based on the sheet of epidemiologic investigation, incidences rates per 100,000 population and distributions of cases with vaccination history were investigated by the age. The seasonal or regional distribution were also studied with the onset days of cases. RESULTS: In 2000~2001, a measles outbreak occurred with 52,897 reported cases. The incidence rate per 100,000 population of measles was 111.9 cases and that of geopolitical unit (province) was high nationwide, 35.9~386.3 cases. The incidence rates were very high in less than 12 months and 10 years of age, 954.4 and 714.9, respectively. The 1st vaccination rate of measles/mumps/rubella (MMR) in 1~3 years old was 26.3~77.1%, and especially, that of 1 year old showed very low coverage, 26.3%. However, there was no special propensity in the 1st vaccine coverage in the age of 7~15 years, which had 87.7~91.4%. On the other hand, the 2nd MMR vaccination rate of the cases was very low, 17.7% at the age of 7~10 years. From the 21st May, 2001 a mass catch-up campaign with measles/rubella (MR) vaccine was launched, resulting in prominent reduction in the incidence of measles case. CONCLUSION: This survey showed that the measles outbreak in 2000~2001 had a high incidence nationwide from October 2000 to April 2001 and in less than 12 month and 10 years of age. Our results also showed that no routine immunization made the age group under 1 year vulnerable to measles infection. In cases of school-age group after 7 years of age, some cases with vaccination history were also infected. The characteristics of recent outbreaks indicates the need for the introduction of a specific vaccination programme at that age group. This survey was helpful to establish the effective vaccination strategy and it would be used as reference data on survey continuously for the epidemiologic characteristics of measles case for elimination of indigenous measles transmission in Republic of Korea.
Disease Outbreaks ; Epidemiology ; Hand ; Humans ; Immunization ; Incidence ; Korea* ; Measles* ; Republic of Korea ; Seasons ; Vaccination

BACKGROUND: This study reports the incidences of measles in Koea and the epidemiologic characteristics for the incidence reported for the period 1980~1999. It provides the epidemeologic adta for measles before implementing the catch-up campaign in 2001. METHODS: We obtained information for the survey from the data for the incidence reported from health centers. Incidences per 100,000 population were calculated for the 1963~1999. And the following variables were studied: seasonal or regional distribution for the 1980~1999. RESULTS: The incidence rate of measles declined after the systemic immunization in 1990, the outbreak of measles occurred periodically and incidences per 100,000 population increased from 8.4 cases in 1990 to 17.7 in 1994. In 1990 and 1994, measles cases centered around the 5~6th month. On the other hand, in non-epidemic year measles cases were scattered around the year. The incidence rates of measles by the province were greatly defferent whenever the outbreak of measles occurred. CONCLUSION: In 1990s, the outbreak of measles occurred periodically at the interval of 4 years until 1994. The seasonal distribution may be caused by Iimitation of transmission due to the increased measles immunity in outbreak region. Our results showed that the measles outbreak did not occur in the specific province, but it occurred nationwide whenever measles outbreak occurred, even though the incidence rates of the provinces were different.
Epidemiology ; Hand ; Immunization ; Incidence* ; Korea* ; Measles* ; Seasons

OBJECTIVE: To determine if there is muscle mass reduction in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) compared to the general population and to examine the relationship between skeletal muscle mass, quality of life (QOL), strength, and mobility in patients with AS. METHODS: A total of 30 AS patients were enrolled in this study. Skeletal muscle mass was measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis, and it was expressed as the skeletal muscle mass index (SMI). QOL was assessed using the EuroQOL (EQ-5D). To measure mobility, the modified Schöber test and chest expansion test were used. To measure grip strength as a measure of muscle strength, we used the hydraulic hand dynamometer. Additionally, we divided the patients into two groups according to the degree of X-ray finding and compared the differences between the two groups. RESULTS: There was no significant reduction in skeletal muscle mass in patients with AS compared to the general population. Also, there was no significant correlation between SMI and QOL. On the other hand, there was a significant positive correlation between SMI and mobility, and grip strength. A significant positive correlation was found between mobility and QOL. Additionally, there was a statistically significant difference in mobility between the two groups according to the degree of X-ray finding. CONCLUSION: Maintaining muscle mass in AS patients may not be helpful for improving QOL, but it may contribute to achieving adequate mobility and strength.
Electric Impedance ; Hand ; Hand Strength ; Humans ; Muscle Strength ; Muscle, Skeletal ; Quality of Life* ; Spondylitis, Ankylosing* ; Thorax