Multiple factors including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) were evaluated for a case-control study in Chonnam area to investigate the causative entity of COPD. Data on the multiple causative factors from hospital records and interview survey were analyzed in three groups of COPD(64 cases as case group), normal lung (83 cases as control group 1) and non-COPD lung disease (45 cases as control group 2). Smoking status, history of adulthood pulmonary infection and frequent history of URI, socioeconomic status, and GERD were significantly different between COPD group and control group 1. Drinking status, physical height of the subjects and GERD were significantly different between COPD group and control group 2. If control group 1 was used, odds ratio of GERD and COPD was 5.68(95%confidence interval, 95% CI:2.59-12.45) and 4.81 (95% CI:1.89-10.53) when adjusted by age and smoking status. If control group 2 was used. Odds ratio of GERD and COPD was 4.22 (95% CI:1.69-10.56) and 4.59 (95% CI:1.64-12.86) when adjusted by alcohol and adulthood respiratory infection status. In summary, there results suggested that GERD might play a causative role in the development of COPD.
Case-Control Studies ; Drinking ; Gastroesophageal Reflux* ; Hospital Records ; Jeollanam-do ; Lung ; Lung Diseases ; Odds Ratio ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive* ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Social Class

The objective of this study was to evaluate outcome for the patients of the intensive care unit, using APACHE III prognostic system. We prospectively collected the information of 429 patients in intensive care units at 2 tertiary care hospitals and 4 secondary care hospitals in PUSAN who had been admitted from December 1, 1993 to February 28, 1994. The results were as follows. 1. APACHE 111 scores were various from 0 to 173. But the distribution of the scores were similar between tertiary care hospitals and secondary care hospitals. 2. The mortality rate significantly increased as APACHE 111 score rised (P<0.001). Within the interval of same score, generally, the mortality of operative patients was higher in secondary care hospitals but in the case of nonoperative patients higher in tertiary care hospitals. 3. when the tertiary care hospitals compared with secondary for ratio of the predicted mortality rate to the actual mortality rate, there was little difference. 4. when we compared the 6 hospitals, one hospital had significantly better results and another hospital was significantly inferior (P<0.05).
APACHE* ; Busan ; Humans ; Intensive Care Units* ; Critical Care* ; Mortality ; Prospective Studies ; Secondary Care ; Tertiary Healthcare

No abstract available.
Granuloma* ; Leprosy, Lepromatous*

No abstract available.
Spinal Cord Compression* ; Spinal Cord* ; Thymoma*

This study was designed to find out opinions about free congregate site meals that the program served to improve nutritional status of low socio-economic elderly. This study was conducted in Sungnam-shi. The purpose of this study provided the baseline data to extend the meal service program in this area. Five hundred samples were selcted by the propotion of population in three districts(Sujung-gu, Jungwon-gu,Bundang-gu). The result were as follows. 72.8%of subjects were women and 27.2%of subjects were extended family type. Seventy% of respondant were not aware of the free meal service for elderly. Major channels of information about free meal service were mass media(33.8%)and advertisement material from city (24.3%). The rate of recognition and channels of information about free meal service were different according to demographic characteristics of subjects. Sixty-eight of subjects pointed that the meal service program was highly necessary in these areas and the necessity of the program was not significantly different by socio-economic variables. The group who know about free meal service had a positive attitude toward supporting the meal service program. Women preferred labor volunteers(46.8%)at meal service center and men preferred donations. According to levels of education each group preferred different types of surpport for free congregate site meals for elderly.
Aged* ; Education ; Female ; Gyeonggi-do* ; Humans ; Male ; Meals* ; Nutritional Status

Emphysematous cystitis is a rare condition characterized by gas collection in the wall and lumen of the bladder. We experienced three cases of emphysematous cystiris. All patients were female; one was associated with a long term history of diabetes mellitus and another with urinary indwelling catheter. All of the cases were easily diagnosed on plain radiograph and CT scan, and were successfully treated with antibiotic therapy. In one of the cases, however, associated abscess due to perivesical extension of inflammation was treated by combined external drainage.
Abscess ; Catheters, Indwelling ; Cystitis* ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Drainage ; Female ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Urinary Bladder

No abstract available in English.
Stents*

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of the seniorobic program on physical function and fall in elderly. METHODS: The experimental group and control group was composed of 22 subjects each. The subjects in the experimental group had participated in the seniorobic program for 12 weeks which consisted of exercise and education. Muscle strength, flexibility, balance and the frequency of fall for each subject were measured before, and at the 6th and 12th weeks of the seniorobic program. Data were analyzed using SPSS /WIN 12.0 program. RESULTS: The experimental group had significantly increased their flexibility at the 6th and 12th weeks of the seniorobic program, their the lower limb muscle strength and balance at the 12th week of the seniorobic program. There was no significant difference in the frequency of fall between the experimental group and the control group during the period of seniorobic program. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the seniorobic program can increase lower limb muscle strength, flexibility and improve the balance of the elderly
Aged ; Humans ; Lower Extremity ; Muscle Strength ; Pliability

Emphysematous cholecystitis is an uncommon condition which may mimic acute cholecystitis. But it differs from acute cholecystitis in its relatively greater frequency in men and diabetics and has graver prognosis. The condition is diagnosed by demonstration of air in lumen,wall of gallbladder and/or pericholecystic space using a variety of radiographic techniques: simple abdominal radiography, ultrasonography and CT scanning. One illustrative case is presented herein and the pertinent literature is reviewed.
Cholecystitis, Acute ; Emphysematous Cholecystitis* ; Gallbladder ; Humans ; Male ; Prognosis ; Radiography, Abdominal ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Ultrasonography

PURPOSE: Emphysematous pyelonephritis is a rare, life threatening infection of kidney and the pennephric space, characterized by the production of gas within the renal parenchyma. The aim of this study is to analyze the clinical and radiologic characteristics of emphysematous pyelonephritis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed 7 cases of the emphysematous pyelonephritis. Six patients had plain abdominal radiographs, ultrasonograms and abdominal CT scans. Only one patient had plain radiograph and ultrasonogram. In 5 operated cases, CT findings were compared with surgical records. RESULTS: Plain radiographs showed characteristic diffuse mottling of gas in renal fossa. On sonogram, intrarenal gas was identified as echogenic loci with dirty shadows. CT scan showed inflammatory mass with gas and fluid levels in adjacent to the kidney. CT findings corresponded relatively wall with the surgical findings in regard to disease extent. CONCLUSION: lntrarenal gas in appropriate clinical setting is highly specific for emphysematous pyelonephritis. CT is the most sensitive method for demonstrating the disease extent as well as specific diagnosis.
Diagnosis ; Humans ; Kidney ; Pyelonephritis* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Ultrasonography