OBJECTIVE: Alcohol-induced blackout (blackout) is a typical early symptom of cognitive impairment caused by drinking. However, the first onset age of blackout or the duration after onset of blackout has not been directly compared in previous studies. The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences in cognitive function to the first start age of blackouts and their duration. METHODS: Thirty-one male subjects were included in this study. Their age at the first blackout and the duration after the onset of blackout were investigated. Neuropsychological tests were conducted to determine their attention, memory, and executive function. Subjects were divided into three groups according to their age of the first onset blackout (group O1, < 20 years; group O2, 21–39 years; and group O3, > 40 years). Subjects were also divided into three groups by duration after the onset of blackout (P1, < 10 years; P2, 10–29 years; and P3, > 30 years). We then examined differences in neurocognitive function among these groups. RESULTS: O1 tended to have a lower memory score than O2 (F = 3.28, p = 0.053). Significant differences were observed in attention and executive function between groups P1 and P3 (Digit Span_backward: F = 6.07, p < 0.05; visual span_forward: F = 4.19, p < 0.05; executive intelligence quotient: F = 3.55, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Greater memory impairment was detected in subjects having an earlier age of the first blackout. The longer the duration after the onset of blackout, the more impaired their attention and executive function skills.
Age of Onset ; Alcohol-Induced Disorders ; Amnesia, Retrograde ; Cognition Disorders ; Cognition ; Drinking ; Executive Function ; Humans ; Intelligence ; Male ; Memory ; Neuropsychological Tests

BACKGROUND: The detection of thyroid nodules through ultrasonography (US) has improved with the development of imaging technologies and thyroid cancer screening in Korea. We evaluated the relationship between the presence of thyroid nodules on US and thyroid function test (TFT) results in healthy individuals.METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of data from 449 adults (313 men and 136 women) who underwent tests to evaluate serum thyrotropin (TSH) and free thyroxine levels, thyroid US, and if needed, fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC).RESULTS: Of the 449 subjects, 144 subjects (32.1%) had thyroid nodules. Among the 144 with thyroid nodules, 24 (16.7%) were advised to undergo FNAC, and all of them showed normal serum TSH levels. Logistic regression analysis showed that the presence of thyroid nodules was not related to abnormalities noted on TFTs after adjusting for age, sex, smoking status, and presence of risky drinking behavior and hypertension (P=0.647).CONCLUSION: The presence of thyroid nodules on US in healthy adults was not associated with abnormal TFT results. Serum TSH check-ups during the evaluation of thyroid nodules discovered through US in asymptomatic individuals living in areas with a low prevalence of autonomous functioning thyroid nodules might not be necessary from the perspective of cost-effectiveness and subject convenience.
Adult ; Biopsy, Fine-Needle ; Drinking Behavior ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Korea ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Mass Screening ; Prevalence ; Retrospective Studies ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Thyroid Function Tests ; Thyroid Gland ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; Thyroid Nodule ; Thyrotropin ; Thyroxine ; Ultrasonography

BACKGROUND: The eating habits of Jeju Island natives are quite different from those of the mainland people because of geographic isolation. Diet is a main factor affecting gallstone disease. We investigated the prevalence of gallstone disease in both Jeju Island natives and migrants and studied the risk factors affecting gallstone disease in the Jeju Island people. METHODS: A total of 20,763 subjects who underwent medical checkups at the Health Promotion Center of Jeju National University Hospital in Korea from January 2003 to December 2015 were enrolled in the study. Ultrasonography was used to determine the presence of gallbladder stones. Body mass index and biochemical parameters, including liver function test results, lipid profiles, and fasting blood glucose levels, were verified, and data on age, birthplace, and sex were collected from medical records. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify risk factors affecting gallstone disease. RESULTS: The prevalence of gallstone disease in the Jeju Island people was 4.0%: Jeju Island natives, 3.8% and migrants, 4.4% (P=0.047). After multivariate logistic regression analysis, the independent risk factors were older age, Jeju migrants, higher fasting blood glucose and alanine aminotransferase levels, and lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of gallstone disease was significantly lower in natives than in migrants from Jeju Island. Older age, Jeju migrants, higher fasting blood glucose and alanine aminotransferase levels, and lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels contributed to gallstone disease prevalence in the Jeju Island people.
Alanine Transaminase ; Alcohol Drinking ; Blood Glucose ; Body Mass Index ; Cholesterol ; Diet ; Dietary Carbohydrates ; Eating ; Fasting ; Gallbladder ; Gallstones* ; Health Promotion ; Humans ; Korea ; Lipoproteins ; Liver Function Tests ; Logistic Models ; Medical Records ; Multivariate Analysis ; Population Groups* ; Prevalence* ; Risk Factors ; Transients and Migrants* ; Ultrasonography

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the feasibility and safety of the delta-shaped anastomosis in laparoscopic distal gastrectomy and digestive tract reconstruction.

METHODSClinical data of 34 gastric cancer patients undergoing laparoscopic distal gastrectomy with the delta-shaped anastomosis for digestive tract reconstruction (delta-shaped group) and 83 gastric cancer patients undergoing laparoscopic distal gastrectomy with Billroth I( for digestive tract reconstruction (Billroth group) by same surgeon team from July 2013 to July 2015 at the Department of Digestive Surgery, Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Shanxi Medical University were retrospectively analyzed. Data of two groups were compared.

RESULTAge, gender, tumor stage were not significantly different between the two groups(all P>0.05). Operation time of the first 15 cases in delta-shaped group was longer than that in Billroth group [(254.7±35.4) min vs. (177.8±33.0) min, t=11.190, P=0.000], while after above 15 cases, the operation time of delta-shaped group was significantly shorter than that of Billroth group [(142.1±14.6) min vs. (177.8±33.0) min, t=-4.109, P=0.001]. Delta-shaped group had less blood loss during operation [(87.1±36.7) ml vs. (194.0±55.1) ml, t=-10.268, P=0.000], and shorter length of incision [(4.1±0.4) cm vs. (6.1±1.0) cm, t=-10.331, P=0.000] than Billroth group. Compared with Billroth group, delta-shaped group presented faster postoperative bowel function return [(2.8±0.6) d vs. (3.3±0.5) d, t=-3.755, P=0.000], earlier liquid food intake [(7.4±1.5) d vs. (8.1±1.7) d, t=-4.135, P=0.000], earlier ambulation [(4.0±1.6) d vs. (6.8±1.4) d, t=-7.197, P=0.000] and shorter postoperative hospital stay [(12.6±1.9) d vs.(13.6±2.0) d, t=-20.149, P=0.000]. Morbidity of postoperative complication was 5.9%(2/34) in delta-shaped group, including anastomotic fistula in 1 case and incision infection in 1 case, and 6.0%(5/83) in Billroth group, including anastomotic fistula, incision infection, anastomotic stricture and dumping syndrome, without significant difference(P>0.05). Difference value of total protein and albumin between pre-operation and post-operation, and average decreased value of total protein, albumin, body weight between pre-operation and postoperative 6-month were not significantly different between two groups(all P>0.05). As for patients with BMI > 25 kg/m, compared to Billroth group, delta-shaped group presented less blood loss during operation [(94.1±36.7) ml vs. (203.0±55.1) ml, t=-10.268, P=0.000], lower injective dosage of postoperative analgesics [(1.9±1.1) ampule vs.(3.3±2.0) ampule, t=-2.188, P=0.032], faster intestinal recovery [(2.9±0.7) d vs. (3.2±0.9) d, t=-3.755, P=0.009], shorter hospital stay [(10.5±1.2) d vs. (11.7±1.5) d, t=-2.026, P=0.004], and lower morbidity of postoperative complication [7.1%(1/14) vs. 13.6%(3/22), χ=4.066, P=0.031].

CONCLUSIONIn laparoscopic distal gastrectomy and digestive tract reconstruction, the delta-shaped anastomosis is safe and feasible, especially suitable for obese patients.

Anastomosis, Surgical ; adverse effects ; methods ; Blood Loss, Surgical ; statistics & numerical data ; Comparative Effectiveness Research ; Constriction, Pathologic ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Defecation ; Digestive System Fistula ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Drinking ; Dumping Syndrome ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Female ; Gastrectomy ; adverse effects ; methods ; Gastroenterostomy ; adverse effects ; methods ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; adverse effects ; methods ; Length of Stay ; Male ; Operative Time ; Postoperative Complications ; epidemiology ; Postoperative Period ; Recovery of Function ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms ; surgery ; Surgical Wound ; Surgical Wound Infection ; epidemiology ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: Alcohol causes damage to the brain and is associated with various functional impairments. However, much of the brain damage can be reversed by abstaining for enough time. This study aims to investigate the patterns and degrees of brain function in abstinent patients with alcohol dependence by using resting-state functional connectivity. METHODS: 26 male patients with alcohol dependence (alcohol group) and 28 age-matched male healthy volunteers (control group) were recruited from a mental hospital and the community, respectively. Using 3T MRI scan data, the resting-state functional connectivity of the task-negative and task-positive networks was determined and compared between the groups. RESULTS: There were no significant group differences in the resting-state functional connectivity in the default mode or in the salience and sensorimotor networks. Compared with the control group, the alcohol group showed significantly lower functional connectivity in the executive control network, especially in the cingulo-opercular network and, in some regions of interest, the dorsal attention network. CONCLUSION: This finding suggests that some brain networks do not normalize their functions after abstinence from drinking, and these results may be helpful in future research to investigate the mechanisms for craving alcohol and alcohol relapse prevention.
Alcoholism* ; Brain ; Craving ; Drinking ; Executive Function ; Healthy Volunteers ; Hospitals, Psychiatric ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Secondary Prevention

INTRODUCTION: The prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) after excluding organic disease has not been reported in Korea. METHODS: Of 5,605 participants in a health screening program, inclusion criteria were persons who underwent colonoscopy and completed questionnaires. Exclusion criteria were persons diagnosed with colon cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, previous colectomy, and abnormal results of thyroid function tests. IBS was defined by Rome III criteria. Physical and psychological stress was evaluated with visual analogue scales, ranging from 0 to 10. Risk factors for IBS were estimated with odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The prevalence of IBS was 8.2% (5,605) in the total population and 9.1% (393/4,296) in the final study sample. IBS had a positive association with female sex (adjusted OR, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.00-1.79; p = 0.05) and current smoking (adjusted OR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.00-1.71; p = 0.05). The prevalence of IBS increased with increased psychological stress (adjusted p for trend = 0.005) and decreased with increasing age (adjusted p for trend <0.001), with adjusted OR of 0.95 (95% CI, 0.68-1.33) for age of 40.0 to 49.9 years; 0.79 (95% CI, 0.54-1.15) for age of 50.0 to 59.9 years; and 0.51 (95% CI, 0.30-0.86) for age of 60 years or more, compared with age less than 40 years. Drinking status, body mass index, hypertension, diabetes, and use of sedatives had no association with IBS. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of IBS increased with decreasing age and increasing psychological stress, and was positively associated with female sex and current smoking.
Body Mass Index ; Colectomy ; Colonic Neoplasms ; Colonoscopy ; Drinking ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Hypnotics and Sedatives ; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases ; Irritable Bowel Syndrome ; Korea ; Logistic Models ; Mass Screening ; Odds Ratio ; Prevalence ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Risk Factors ; Rome ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Stress, Psychological ; Thyroid Function Tests ; Weights and Measures

BACKGROUND: An unhealthy lifestyle is the most important cause of lifestyle-induced illness (diabetes, hypertension, liver enzyme abnormality, dyslipidemia etc.). This study was carried out to evaluate that relation between employees' lifestyle and their health status in a Korean electronic research and development company. METHODS: We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional survey. 3,041 consecutive workers in a Korean R&D company were enrolled in this study. A checkup list for the health examination (from the National Health Insurance Coperation), which contained the information on the lifestyle, and the results of the health examination, which contained information on the body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure (SBP), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and liver function tests (LFT, AST, ALT, gamma-GTP) and cholesterol profiles (total cholesterol, TG, HDL, LDL) were done for all the subjects. We evaluated the health profile as normal or abnormal. Statistical analysis of the health profiles and the lifestyle of the employees' was performing by using multiple logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The prevalence of 'excessive alcohol drinking' was 52.9% (n=1,610), that for 'lack of exercise' was 86.2% (n=2,662), that for 'meat eating' 12.2% (n=370) and that for 'current smoker' was 31.3% (n=952). According to results of health examination, the prevalence of obesity was 27.1% (n=824), hypertension was 7.1% (n=215), diabetes was 1.0% (n=30), abnormal LFT was 15.4% (n=469) and dyslipidemia was 18.7% (n=569). On multiple logistic regression analysis of the health profile and lifestyle, 'meat eating' was related to obesity, hypertension, abnormal LFT (ALT, gamma-GTP), dyslipidemia (LDL). 'Excessive alcohol drinking' was related to obesity, hypertension, abnormal LFT (gamma-GTP). 'Lack of exercise' was related to dyslipidemia (HDL). 'Current smoker' was related to obesity, diabetes, abnormal LFT (ALT, gamma-GTP), and dyslipidemia (TG, HDL) with statistically significance. CONCLUSIONS: For workers in the R&D company, an unhealthy lifestyle (such as diet, alcohol drinking, lack of exercise and smoking) were related to obesity, hypertension, diabetes, abnormal LFT and dyslipidemia. Therefore health promotion is necessary for the young employees of an Korean R&D company.
Alcohol Drinking ; Blood Pressure ; Body Mass Index ; Cholesterol ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Diet ; Dyslipidemias ; Electronics ; Electrons ; Health Promotion ; Hypertension ; Life Style ; Liver ; Liver Function Tests ; Logistic Models ; National Health Programs ; Obesity ; Prevalence

BACKGROUND: The Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) makes its pilots undergo regular aero-medical checkups. About 15% of the pilots undergoing this check-up show increased serum bilirubin levels without any abnormality in other liver function test items, and even reexamination is required for those with a marked increase. In this study, we investigated the factors associated with increased serum bilirubin. METHODS: Questionnaires and blood tests were used for the ROKAF pilots who visited the Aerospace Medical Center for the aero-medical check-up. Various information from the questionnaire and blood test was statistically analyzed to identify the factors associated with increased bilirubin. RESULTS: In univariate analysis, age, fasting > or =12 hours, exercise in the last 3 days, and last alcohol intake > or = 120 g were statistically associated with increased serum bilirubin. In multivariate analysis, fasting > or =12 hours, exercise in the last 3 days, and last alcohol intake > or = 120 g were independent risk factors significantly associated with increased bilirubin. CONCLUSION: Prolonged fasting, recent exercise and drinking were associated with increased serum bilirubin as previously known. Pilots expecting regular aero-medical check-up should avoid intense exercise and drinking in order to get accurate blood test results.
Bilirubin ; Drinking ; Fasting ; Hematologic Tests ; Hyperbilirubinemia ; Liver Function Tests ; Multivariate Analysis ; Republic of Korea ; Risk Factors ; Surveys and Questionnaires

BACKGROUND: Recent studies indicate that heavy alcohol drinking is a significant factor for dementia. There are little studies for the neupsychology of alcohol-related persistent dementia patients in Korea. The main purpose of our study is investigate the results of neuropsychological test and neuroimaging of alcoholic dementia. METHODS: Eleven inpatients meeting DSM-IVcriteria for alcohol-related persistent dementia were examined with careful history taking, Seoul neuropsychological screening battery and brain CT. RESULTS: The mean K-MMSE, CDR scores were 18.4+/-3.8, 1.4+/-0.5, respectively. Language functions including spontaneous speech, comprehension, repetition, reading, writing were almost normal, except K-BNT. Attention, visuospatial function, calculation, orientation, memory, frontal executive function were severely impaired. Diffuse brain atrophy was the main finding on the brain CT. Personality changes including impulsivity, apathy, lack of motivation were observed most of the patients. CONCLUSION: Alcohol-induced persistent dementia subjects were impaired on the test of attention, visuospatial function, calculation, orientation, memory, frontal related function, but language function was relatively preserved.
Alcohol Drinking ; Alcoholics ; Apathy ; Atrophy ; Brain ; Comprehension ; Dementia* ; Executive Function ; Humans ; Impulsive Behavior ; Inpatients ; Korea ; Mass Screening ; Memory ; Motivation ; Neuroimaging ; Neuropsychological Tests ; Neuropsychology ; Seoul ; Writing

PURPOSE: Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis (TPP) is not an uncommon disorder in patient with acute muscle weakness in the emergency department. However, many patients with TPP are misdiagnosed, leading to improper treatment. So, we analyze the clinical characteristics of TPP to make diagnosis and treatment properly. METHODS: The medical records of the patients confirmed as TPP by using thyroid function test from January 1998 to December 2002 were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: TPP occurs predominantly in males, especially young males, during dawn or morning. It's predisposing factors were heavy meals, physical exertion and alcohol drinking. Most patients were hypokalemic and in a normal acid-base state. Systolic hypertension and tachycardia were common in TPP because of the hyperadrenergic state. When hyperthyroidism was conversed to normal thyroid state, paralysis did not occur. CONCLUSION: There were several clinical clues to the diagnosis of TPP. Rapid and accurate diagnosis of TPP is important, so emergency physicians must know its clinical characteristics.
Alcohol Drinking ; Causality ; Diagnosis ; Emergencies* ; Emergency Service, Hospital* ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Hyperthyroidism ; Male ; Meals ; Medical Records ; Muscle Weakness ; Paralysis* ; Physical Exertion ; Retrospective Studies ; Tachycardia ; Thyroid Function Tests ; Thyroid Gland ; Thyrotoxicosis