Despite hearing loss being a prevalent chronic condition, estimated to nearly 20% of the global population by the World Health Organization, the specific association with individual lifestyle factors, particularly alcohol consumption, remains unclear. In South Korea, approximately 80% of the population engages in alcohol consumption, with a notably high prevalence among males, indicating a high-risk drinking pattern. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the correlation between alcohol consumption and hearing loss in male workers, as well as to analyze additional variables such as alcohol flushing reaction, with the intention of improving worker health.

Despite hearing loss being a prevalent chronic condition, estimated to nearly 20% of the global population by the World Health Organization, the specific association with individual lifestyle factors, particularly alcohol consumption, remains unclear. In South Korea, approximately 80% of the population engages in alcohol consumption, with a notably high prevalence among males, indicating a high-risk drinking pattern. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the correlation between alcohol consumption and hearing loss in male workers, as well as to analyze additional variables such as alcohol flushing reaction, with the intention of improving worker health.

Despite hearing loss being a prevalent chronic condition, estimated to nearly 20% of the global population by the World Health Organization, the specific association with individual lifestyle factors, particularly alcohol consumption, remains unclear. In South Korea, approximately 80% of the population engages in alcohol consumption, with a notably high prevalence among males, indicating a high-risk drinking pattern. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the correlation between alcohol consumption and hearing loss in male workers, as well as to analyze additional variables such as alcohol flushing reaction, with the intention of improving worker health.

Splenic artery steal syndrome (SASS) after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) has been recently described as hepatic artery hypoperfusion secondary to the portal hyperperfusion. It is an uncommon but serious complication of OLT. Left untreated, it leads to postoperative morbidity or graft loss. Herein we report the case of a 52-year-old female who suffered from SASS following living donor liver transplantation. She was diagnosed by angiography and successfully managed by splenic artery embolization. Splenic artery embolization for the treatment of SASS is a safe and effective modality.

PURPOSE: The goal of oncoplastic breast surgery is to restore the appearance of the breast and improve patient satisfaction. Thus, the assessment of cosmetic results and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) using appropriately constructed and validated instruments is essential. The aim of the present study was to assess the long-term objective cosmetic results and corresponding PROs after oncoplastic breast surgery. METHODS: Cosmetic results were assessed by the patients, a medical panel, and a computer program (BCCT.core). PROs were assessed using BREAST-Q, a questionnaire that measures the perception of patients having breast surgery. The cosmetic results and PROs were analyzed in patients who underwent quadrantectomy and partial breast reconstruction utilizing the latissimus dorsi flap. RESULTS: The mean duration of the follow-up period was 91.6 months (range, 33.3-171.0 months), and mean age of the patients was 51 years old (range, 33-72 years). The mean tumor size was 2.1 cm (range, 0.9-5.5 cm). There was fair agreement between the medical panel and BCCT.core score (K = 0.32, P < 0.001), and a statistically significant correlation between the BCCT.core score and medical panel cosmetic results was identified (r = 0.606, P < 0.001). A better BCCT.core result was related to a higher PRO of each BREAST-Q domain-satisfaction with breasts (R2 = 0.070, P = 0.039), satisfaction with outcome (R2 = 0.087, P = 0.021), psychosocial well-being (R2 = 0.085, P = 0.023), sexual well-being (R2 = 0.082, P = 0.029), and satisfaction with information (R2 = 0.064, P = 0.049). CONCLUSION: Our long-term results of oncoplastic surgery achieved a high level of patient satisfaction with good cosmetic results. The medical panel and BCCT.core results correlated well with the PROs of the patients using valid, reliable, and procedure-specific measures.
Breast* ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Mammaplasty ; Patient Satisfaction ; Pilot Projects* ; Quality of Life ; Superficial Back Muscles* ; Surgical Flaps

Despite the therapeutic equivalence between twice-daily and once-daily tacrolimus, patient safety after conversion is still a concern. We reviewed 218 liver transplantation (LT) patients who converted twice-daily to once-daily tacrolimus between May 2011 and January 2014. Thirty (13.8%) patients had adverse events after conversion, with a liver function test (LFT) abnormality being the most common adverse event (n = 17). Despite the decrease in serum tacrolimus of > 30% after conversion, none of the patients who were converted to a dosage ratio (once-daily tacrolimus dosage: twice-daily tacrolimus dosage) > 1 had an LFT abnormality. Most patients with an LFT abnormality improved after increasing the once-daily tacrolimus dosage (n = 2), returned to a previous medication, and/or added another immunosuppressant (n = 15). One patient had acute cellular rejection, which improved after steroid pulse treatment, and another patient had graft failure. In patients with a dosage ratio ≤ 1, the conversion time within 5 years after LT was the only significant risk factor for an LFT abnormality after conversion (odds ratio: 11.850, 95% confidence interval: 1.321–106.325, P = 0.027). In conclusion, the dosage ratio and time after LT should be carefully considered during conversion from twice-daily to once-daily tacrolimus.
Humans ; Liver Function Tests ; Liver Transplantation* ; Liver* ; Patient Safety ; Risk Factors* ; Tacrolimus* ; Transplants

PURPOSE: Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) lymphadenitis is a relatively frequent local adverse reactions after BCG vaccination. Its incidence rate is usually <1%. However, this rate may be different according to BCG strain, vaccination method or skill, etc. In the Republic of Korea, two BCG strains are used: intradermal Danish-1331 or percutaneous Tokyo-172. We surveyed the incidence rates of BCG lymphadenitis. METHODS: This survey was performed in total 25 centers (5 general hospitals, 20 private pediatric clinics). Immunized type of BCG strain in study subjects was verified by directly observing the scar. The occurrence of BCG lymphadenitis was asked to their parent. In cases of BCG lymphadenitis, location, diameter size, progression of suppuration, and treatment method were investigated, as well. RESULTS: The total number of study subjects was 3,342. Among these, the subjects suitable for enrollment criteria (total 3,222; Tokyo strain 2,501, Danish strain 721) were analyzed. BCG lymphadenitis regardless of its size developed in each five of subjects per strains, therefore, its incidence rate was 0.20% in Tokyo and 0.69% in Danish strain, respectively (P=0.086). However, when applying the WHO criteria - the development of lymph node swelling with diameter 1.5 cm or more, the incidence rate of BCG lymphadenitis was 0.16% (4 cases) in Tokyo and 0.42% (3 cases) in Danish strain, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence rate of lymphadenitis in two BCG types, percutaneous Tokyo and intradermal Danish strain BCG, is 0.20% and 0.69%, respectively. Both rates are acceptable.
Cicatrix ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Incidence* ; Lymph Nodes ; Lymphadenitis* ; Mycobacterium bovis ; Parents ; Republic of Korea ; Suppuration ; Vaccination*