PURPOSE: This study was aimed to investigate the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of the patients with acute bronchiolitis who visited in 146 Emergency Departments (EDs) in Korea in 2012. METHODS: We used the NEDIS (National Emergency Department Information System) database to obtain all children with acute bronchiolitis who visited ED under the age of 3 between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2012. RESULTS: Totally 18,313 children with acute bronchiolitis were enrolled at this study. The male to female ratio was 1.55:1 and mean age was 10 months. The peak proportion was 17.3% in November during the whole year. The most common chief complaints were fever (38.5%), cough (37.4%), dyspnea (9.5%), gastrointestinal symptom (6.7%), and wheezing (2.5%). The most common accompanying disease was pneumonia (13.3%). The rate of hospital admission and intensive care unit admission were 34.5% and 0.3%, respectively. A predictor for admission via ED was respiratory difficulty. CONCLUSION: These data expand our understanding of clinical characteristics of patients with acute bronchiolitis who visited all ED in Korea in 2012.
Bronchiolitis* ; Child ; Cough ; Dyspnea ; Emergencies* ; Emergency Service, Hospital* ; Female ; Fever ; Humans ; Intensive Care Units ; Korea* ; Male ; Pneumonia ; Respiratory Sounds

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify factors related to family health and develop a prediction model with an ability to explain family health in families of patients with schizophrenia.METHODS: A hypothesized model with twelve pathway forms was developed based on literature review. Family stress and social stigma were included as two exogenous variables; whereas family resilience, family empowerment, self-esteem, community integration, and family health were included as endogenous variables. Data were collected using a self-report questionnaire from 206 families of patients with schizophrenia living in Republic of Korea. Data were analyzed with PASW/WIN 18.0 and AMOS 18.0 programs.RESULTS: Social stigma had a negatively indirect and total effect on family health. Family resilience, self-esteem, and community integration had positive and direct and overall effects on family health.CONCLUSION: A prediction model for families of patients with schizophrenia is proposed and social stigma, family resilience, self-esteem, and community integration are presented as predicting factors for family health. Nursing interventions and support programs should be developed to overcome social stigma and improve family resilience, self-esteem, and community integration.
Community Integration ; Family Health ; Humans ; Nursing ; Power (Psychology) ; Republic of Korea ; Schizophrenia ; Social Stigma

PURPOSE: Seasonal variations in asthma-related hospitalizations and emergency department visits have long been recognized. This study aimed to investigate the seasonal patterns of asthma in children and adolescents who presented at emergency departments in Korea. METHODS: We analyzed the National Emergency Department Information System records from 117 emergency departments in Korea that comprised all of the patients with asthma who were aged 3-18 years and who presented at the emergency departments from 2007 to 2012. The children and adolescents were divided into 3 groups based on their ages, namely, 3-6 years, 7-12 years, and 13-18 years. The data were tabulated, and graphs were created to show the seasonal trends in the monthly numbers of emergency department visits as a consequence of asthma. RESULTS: A total of 41,128 subjects were identified, and the male-to-female ratio was 1:0.5. General ward admissions comprised 42.6% (n=17,524 patients) of the emergency department visits, and intensive care unit admissions comprised 0.8% (n=335 patients) of the emergency department visits. The monthly numbers of emergency department visits for asthma varied according to the season, with high peaks during fall, which was from September to November, and low levels in summer, which was from June to August. CONCLUSIONS: Important differences in the seasonal patterns of emergency department visits for asthma were evident in children and adolescents. Identifying seasonal trends in asthma-related emergency department visits may help determine the causes and reduce the likelihood of asthma exacerbation.
Adolescent* ; Asthma* ; Child* ; Emergencies* ; Emergency Service, Hospital* ; Epidemiology ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Information Systems ; Intensive Care Units ; Korea* ; Patients' Rooms ; Seasons*

PURPOSE: IL-10 and IFN-gamma are amongst important cytokines, which are thought to have influence on organ transplantation outcome. The aim of this study was to investigate the IL-10 and IFN-gamma gene polymorphisms in Koreans, and their association with renal transplantation outcome. METHODS: Three SNP sites (-1082 G/A, -819 C/T, -592 C/A) of IL-10 promoter region and CA repeats in intron 1 of IFN-gamma gene were analyzed using PCR-single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) and direct sequencing methods in 73 controls and 164 kidney allograft recipients. Association between polymorphisms of these genes and transplantation outcome was analyzed using chi square test or Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: The allele frequencies of the IL-10 and IFN-gamma genes showed no significant differences between the control and patient groups. The frequencies of IL-10 and IFN-gamma high producer alleles were markedly lower than those of Caucasians. The incidence of multiple acute rejection episodes was higher in IL-10low producer (-1082 AA) than intermediate producer (-1082 GA) group (8.6% vs 0%), and in IFN-gamma high producer ([CA]12 positive) than low producer ([CA]12 negative) group (11.9% vs 6.6%). The incidence of chronic renal allograft dysfunction was lower in IL-10 intermediate producer than low producer group (7.7% vs 18.0%), and also lower in the combination of IL-10 intermediate/IFN-gamma low producer type than in other combinations (0% vs 18.2%). However, all these differences were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: IL-10 and IFN-gamma have little influence on renal transplantation outcome in Koreans, probably due to quite limited polymorphisms of these genes in this population. The results of this study would be useful as basic data for renal transplantation in Koreans.
Alleles ; Allografts* ; Cytokines ; Gene Frequency ; Humans ; Incidence ; Interleukin-10* ; Introns ; Kidney Transplantation* ; Kidney* ; Organ Transplantation ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; Transplants

PURPOSE: Chlamydia trachomatis is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases and is also a cause of pneumonia in infants. Respiratory infections by respiratory viruses are also common for infants. The objectives of this study were to identify the clinical manifestations and to determine the prevalence of C. trachomatis respiratory infections and coinfections by respiratory viruses in infants younger than 6 months of age. METHODS: For this study, we enrolled 6 months or younger infants who were admitted to the Dankook University Hospital between January 2002 and July 2007, with respiratory symptoms. Nasopharyngeal aspirates or throat swabs were collected within s d of hospitalization and C. trachomatis was detected using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Patients who tested positive underwent multiplex PCR for respiratory viruses. RESULTS: A total of 690 patients underwent chlamydial PCR testing and 36 (5.2%) had positive results. Of the 36, 28 (78%) were male; 30 were vaginally delivered. From the 36 patients positive for C. trachomatis, 26 underwent multiplex respiratory viral PCR; 12 were coinfected with viruses. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) was the most frequent pathogen that was detected in 6 patients. Increased C-reactive protein and fever were significant in patients coinfected with respiratory viruses. CONCLUSION: C. trachomatis can infected in infants delivered by cesarean section as well as in 6 months old or younger infants. Infant with C. trachomatis respiratory infections can also be coinfected with respiratory infection also coinfected with respiratory viruses. Further studies are needed to better understand the prevalence rates of the this infection and its coinfection rate with respiratory viruses.
C-Reactive Protein ; Cesarean Section ; Chlamydia ; Chlamydia trachomatis ; Coinfection ; Female ; Fever ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Infant ; Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Pharynx ; Pneumonia ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Pregnancy ; Prevalence ; Respiratory Syncytial Viruses ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; Sexually Transmitted Diseases

BACKGROUND: Pleural eosinophilia is rare and commonly considered to be an indicator of good prognosis. The diagnostic significance of eosinophilic pleural effusions remains controversial despite a century of observation and discussion. This study was conducted to assess the prevalence of eosinophilia in 446 consecutive samples of pleural fluid, to review the cause of eosinophilic pleural effusion and to determine whether the presence of eosinophils increases the likehood of benign conditions. METHOD: A retrospective analysis was performed upon patients that underwent first thoracentesis due to pleural effusion between January 1999 and December 1999. RESULTS: Eosinophilic pleural effusions were identified in 24 of the 446 patients (5.4%). Malignancy, parapneumonic effusion and tuberculosis were determined the major causes of pleural effusion (80.6%). Malignancy was diagnosed as frequently in eosinophilic effusions as in non-eosinophilic effusions (54.2% vs 50.5%, p=0.725). No difference was found in the prevalence of eosinophilic and non-eosinophilic effusion according to the etiology. The mean blood eosinophil ratio in patients with eosinophilic pleural effusion was 5.4% and no significant correlation existed between the blood and pleural eosinophilic count. CONCLUSION: Pleural eosinophilia is not helpful for differentiating benign and malignant etiology and is not related with blood eosinophilia or repeated tapping.
Eosinophilia ; Eosinophils* ; Humans ; Pleural Effusion* ; Prevalence ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Tuberculosis

PURPOSE: Acute respiratory infection, particularly pneumonia, is the most common cause of hospitalization and death among children in developing nations. This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of children and adolescents with pneumonia who visited Emergency Department (ED) in South Korea in 2012. METHODS: We analyzed National Emergency Department Information System (NEDIS) records from 146 EDs in South Korea for all pediatric patients aged ≤18 years who were diagnosed with pneumonia between January and December 2012. RESULTS: Among 38,415 subjects, the male-to-female ratio was 1:0.8. Patients aged <12 months comprised 18.0% of the study population; those aged 1 to 3 years, 54.4%; those aged 4 to 6 years, 16.8%; those aged 7 to 12 years, 7.4%; and those aged 13 to 18 years, 3.4%. Presentation rates were highest in April, followed by January, March, and May. The hospital admission rate was 43.5%, of which 2.6% were in intensive care units. The mortality rate was 0.02%. Based on the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, diagnostic codes, the types of pneumonia according to cause were viral pneumonia (29.0%), bacterial pneumonia (5.3%), Mycoplasmal pneumonia (4.5%), aspiration pneumonia (1.3%), and pneumonia of unknown origin (59.3%). CONCLUSION: Despite the limited data due to the ED data from the NEDIS lacking laboratory results and treatment information, this study reflects well the outbreak patterns among children and adolescents with pneumonia. Our results provide a basis for future studies regarding ED treatment for children and adolescents with pneumonia.
Adolescent* ; Child* ; Developing Countries ; Emergencies* ; Emergency Service, Hospital* ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Information Systems ; Intensive Care Units ; International Classification of Diseases ; Korea* ; Mortality ; Pneumonia* ; Pneumonia, Aspiration ; Pneumonia, Bacterial ; Pneumonia, Viral

PURPOSE: Acute respiratory infection, particularly pneumonia, is the most common cause of hospitalization and death among children in developing nations. This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of children and adolescents with pneumonia who visited Emergency Department (ED) in South Korea in 2012. METHODS: We analyzed National Emergency Department Information System (NEDIS) records from 146 EDs in South Korea for all pediatric patients aged ≤18 years who were diagnosed with pneumonia between January and December 2012. RESULTS: Among 38,415 subjects, the male-to-female ratio was 1:0.8. Patients aged <12 months comprised 18.0% of the study population; those aged 1 to 3 years, 54.4%; those aged 4 to 6 years, 16.8%; those aged 7 to 12 years, 7.4%; and those aged 13 to 18 years, 3.4%. Presentation rates were highest in April, followed by January, March, and May. The hospital admission rate was 43.5%, of which 2.6% were in intensive care units. The mortality rate was 0.02%. Based on the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, diagnostic codes, the types of pneumonia according to cause were viral pneumonia (29.0%), bacterial pneumonia (5.3%), Mycoplasmal pneumonia (4.5%), aspiration pneumonia (1.3%), and pneumonia of unknown origin (59.3%). CONCLUSION: Despite the limited data due to the ED data from the NEDIS lacking laboratory results and treatment information, this study reflects well the outbreak patterns among children and adolescents with pneumonia. Our results provide a basis for future studies regarding ED treatment for children and adolescents with pneumonia.
Adolescent* ; Child* ; Developing Countries ; Emergencies* ; Emergency Service, Hospital* ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Information Systems ; Intensive Care Units ; International Classification of Diseases ; Korea* ; Mortality ; Pneumonia* ; Pneumonia, Aspiration ; Pneumonia, Bacterial ; Pneumonia, Viral

BACKGROUND: HLA allele and haplotype distribution varies widely among different ethnic groups. For organ transplantation, anthropology and disease association studies, reliable data on the HLA distribution in each ethnic group is needed. In recent years, more accurate DNA typing methods are increasingly used in place of the serologic typing method. METHODS: We examined HLA-A, -B, and -DR alleles at the generic (serologic) level in 1, 600 Koreans registered for the Korea Marrow Donor Program (KMDP) using the PCR-sequence specific oligonucleotide (SSO) method (Dynal RELI(TM) kit). Allele and haplotype frequencies were estimated by the maximum likelihood method using the computer program developed for the 11th International Histocompatibility Workshop. RESULTS: HLA alleles found in Koreans were 13 in A, 31 in B, and 13 in DR locus. Most frequent alleles with frequencies > or =10% were: A2, A24, A33, A11; B62, B44, B51; DR4, DR15, DR13, and DR8 in each locus in decreasing order of frequency. Subtype frequencies of B61 and B75 serologic specificities were identified: B*4002 (51.1%), *4003 (7.6%) and *4006 (41.3%) for B61, and B*1502 (9.5%) and *1511 (90.5%) for B75. Two-locus haplotypes with frequencies> or =0.1% were presented (99 A-B, 115 B-DR), among which those with frequencies> or =1.0% showing significant positive linkage disequilibrium (P< or=0.001) were 19 A-B and 18 B-DR haplotypes. A total of 185 A-B-DR haplotypes with frequencies> or =0.1% were identified in Koreans, among which 38 haplotypes showed frequencies> or =0.5%. We compared the results of this study with those of our previous study of serologically typed HLA-A, -B and DNA typed HLA-DR in 2, 000 Koreans. Results from the two studies were similar, but blank frequencies were decreased to 0% for HLA-A, -B, and -DR locus compared with the frequencies of 0.3-0.8% in the previous study (A, 0.3%; B, 0.8%; DR, 0.3%) and all of the serologic splits could be assigned in this study. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we provided the allele and haplotype frequencies of HLA-A, -B, and -DR in Koreans defined by a DNA typing method, which can be used as basic data on Koreans for organ transplantation and disease association studies.
Alleles ; Anthropology ; Bone Marrow ; DNA ; DNA Fingerprinting* ; Education ; Ethnic Groups ; Gene Frequency* ; Haplotypes ; Histocompatibility ; HLA-A Antigens* ; HLA-B Antigens ; HLA-DR Antigens ; Humans ; Korea ; Linkage Disequilibrium ; Organ Transplantation ; Tissue Donors ; Transplants

BACKGROUND: In recent years, DNA typing has been increasingly used in HLA-A and B typing, and commercial kits based on the PCR-SSO method are most commonly used in Korea. However, SSO typing kits show ambiguities to some extent in the generic level typing of HLA-B alleles. We analyzed the ambiguities in the Dynal RELI(TM) SSO HLA-B test (Dynal B test) with confirmatory typing results, and developed and evaluated the accuracy and efficacy of an `Interpretation Program for Koreans'. METHODS: A total of 2, 169 Korean marrow donor registry samples were typed for HLA-B alleles using the Dynal B test (56 probes) and all of the 222 cases showing ambiguities were subjected to confirmatory typing. We have developed an `Interpretation Program for Koreans' for the Dynal B test on the basis of the allele frequencies of Korean, Japanese and Asian populations. The samples showing ambiguities in the Dynal B test were interpreted using the `Interpretation Program for Koreans' and the results were compared with confirmatory typing results. RESULTS: The Dynal B test showed 10.2% (222/2, 169) of ambiguities and these ambiguities were classified into 47 different band patterns. These ambiguity patterns were interpreted using the `Interpretation Program for Koreans', which showed ambiguities in 14 band patterns and 3.4% (73/2, 169) of the total samples. Among these ambiguities, 4 band patterns (55 samples) arose from those alleles which are not found in Koreans and rarely found in Japanese or Asians (B*1522, *3521, *7802). Thus, excluding these rarities, only less than 1% (18/2, 169) of samples resulted in ambiguities, and most (16/18) of these were B55 vs. B56 ambiguities. The results from the `Interpretation Program for Koreans' were fully concordant with the confirmatory typing results. CONCLUSIONS: The Dynal B test showed around 10% ambiguities and the `Interpretation Program for Koreans' showed 3.4% of ambiguities. Excluding the ambiguities with extremely low probabilities arising from rare alleles in Japanese or Asians, actually >S99% of the samples could be typed accurately using the program without additional confirmatory tests.
Alleles ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Bone Marrow ; DNA Fingerprinting ; Gene Frequency ; HLA-A Antigens ; HLA-B Antigens* ; Humans ; Korea ; Tissue Donors