BACKGROUND: Family physicians should actively carry out adult immunization. DM is a common risk factor of influenza and pneumococcal pneumonia related complications, so DM patients should receive influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations. The authors investigated recognition and performance of influenza and pneumococcal vaccination among DM patients. METHODS: We surveyed knowledge and performance of influenza and pneumococcal vaccination among the 203 diabetic patients living in Seoul and responding to telephone interview, who visited one DM center in general hospital from March 3, to March 7, 1997. RESULTS: Among 203 DM patients, the risk factors for influenza and pneumococcal pneumonia other than DM were old age of 65 or over(35.0%), cardiovascular diseases(5.9%) and chronic pulmonary diseases(4.9%). The recognition rate and performance rate of influenza vaccination were 27.6% and 21.2% respectively, there was a statistically significant relationship between these rates(P<0.01). Those vaccinated 43 patients for influenza knew the need of vaccination through family members and relatives(58.1%) and through medical doctors(32.6%). Although 85.2% of 203 DM patients answered that they received education about need of vaccination through DM education program conducted at hospitals, but only 9 patients(4.4%) recognized well. The reasons for not performing influenza vaccination were lack of knowledge(63.1%), no experience of influenza(12.5%), 'forget for the moment(5.0%) and regard injection as a nuisance(2.5%) in descending order. The recognition rate and performance rate of of pneurnococcal vaccination were all zero percents. The reasons for not performing pneumococcal vaccination were lack of knowledge(91.1%) no experience of pneumococcal pneumonia(6.4%), regard injection as a nuisance(1.5%) and forget for the moment(1.0%) in descending order. CONCLUSIONS: The recognition and performance rates of influenza vaccination were low and those of pneumococcal vaccination were all zero percents among DM patients because they did not recognize well the need of these vaccinations. Therefore, the doctors who see DM patients should actively recommend influenza and pneumococcal vaccination and DM educational programs must include education for these vaccinations.
Adult ; Education ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Immunization ; Influenza, Human* ; Interviews as Topic ; Physicians, Family ; Pneumonia, Pneumococcal ; Risk Factors ; Seoul ; Vaccination*

Bronchial Asthma could be developed by occupational origin. 4-16% of bronchial asthmas are known to be related to occupational exposure. However, occupational asthma has not been reported from the periodic occupational health examination, but reported through case report from clinicians. The authors analysed hospital records to find out work-related bronchial asthma and their occupational characteristics at a university hospital in Jnchon. All records which were confirmed as bronchial asthma in adult by an allergist from June, 1996 to May, 1998 were selected. Through record reviewing, any suspected work related asthma was selected and the interview was done by phone or at the out-patient clinic. The possible cases were confirmed by additional tests including specific bronchial provocation test. Sixteen(3. 9%) out of 411 bronchial asthma were confirmed as work-related asthma. Eight cases out of 16 worked at furniture industry, three worked at dye manufacturing and two worked at musical instrument manufacturing industry. Others worked at farm and machinary industry. The confirmed asthmogen were toluene diisocyante(8), reactive dye(3), and grain dust(1). None of the cases was detected as work-related asthma in the periodic health examination. Twelve out of sixteen occupational asthma patients discontinued their work. The results suggested that many patients with occupational asthma were not reported and the periodic health examination was not an effective system for detecting the workrelated asthma. Thus, setting up the surveillance system involving allergist or pulmonologist would be important to detect and prevent occupational asthma.
Adult ; Asthma* ; Asthma, Occupational ; Bronchial Provocation Tests ; Cereals ; Hospital Records ; Humans ; Incheon* ; Interior Design and Furnishings ; Music ; Occupational Exposure ; Occupational Health ; Outpatients ; Toluene

A 59-year-old female was admitted with left flank pain. She had heat intolerance and dyspnea for the last 3 years. She was diagnosed as having renal and splenic infarction. 2 phase computed tomography (CT) scan on abdomen and pelvis showed a non-enhancing portion at the anterior aspect of the left kidney and multifocal low density at the spleen. Laboratory examinations revealed TSH 0.0004 uIU/mL, Free T4 2.69 ng/dL, T3 1.67 ng/mL, anti TPO antibody 207 U/mL (positive), anti TG antibody 52.7 U/mL (positive) and TSH receptor antibody >40 U/mL. A diagnosis of hyperthyroidism was made. Factor VIII activity increased over 160% (normal range 60-140), which has been known to increase in the cases of hyperthyroidism. Except for an increased factor VIII activity there were no thrombogenic abnormalities. She recovered well after the treatment with methimazole in addition to warfarin followed by intravenous heparin. This case is consistent with the assumption that hyperthyroidism, probably through a factor VIII-mediated hypercoagulability, may be a predisposing factor for the development of renal and splenic infarction.
Abdomen ; Dyspnea ; Factor VIII ; Female ; Flank Pain ; Heparin ; Hot Temperature ; Humans ; Hyperthyroidism ; Immunoglobulins, Thyroid-Stimulating ; Infarction ; Kidney ; Methimazole ; Middle Aged ; Pelvis ; Receptors, Thyrotropin ; Spleen ; Splenic Infarction ; Thrombophilia ; Warfarin