Background: This study aimed to generate a Z score calculation model for coronary artery diameter of normal children and adolescents to be adopted as the standard calculation method with consensus in clinical practice. Methods: This study was a retrospective, multicenter study that collected data from multiple institutions across South Korea. Data were analyzed to determine the model that best fit the relationship between the diameter of coronary arteries and independent demographic parameters. Linear, power, logarithmic, exponential, and square root polynomial models were tested for best fit. Results: Data of 2,030 subjects were collected from 16 institutions. Separate calculation models for each sex were developed because the impact of demographic variables on the diameter of coronary arteries differs according to sex. The final model was the polynomial formula with an exponential relationship between the diameter of coronary arteries and body surface area using the DuBois formula. Conclusion A new coronary artery diameter Z score model was developed and is anticipated to be applicable in clinical practice. The new model will help establish a consensus-based Z score model.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Colonoscopic surveillance is currently recommended after polypectomy owing to the risk of newly developed colonic neoplasia. However, few studies have investigated colonoscopy surveillance in Asia. This multicenter and prospective study was undertaken to assess the incidence of advanced adenoma based on baseline adenoma findings at 3 years after colonoscopic polypectomy. METHODS: A total of 1,323 patients undergoing colonoscopic polypectomy were prospectively assigned to 3-year colonoscopy surveillance at 11 tertiary endoscopic centers. Relative risks for advanced adenoma after 3 years were calculated according to baseline adenoma characteristics. RESULTS: Among 1,323 patients enrolled, 387 patients (29.3%) were followed up, and the mean follow-up interval was 31.0±9.8 months. The percentage of patients with advanced adenoma on baseline colonoscopy was higher in the surveillance group compared to the non-surveillance group (34.4% vs. 25.7%). Advanced adenoma recurrence was observed in 17 patients (4.4%) at follow-up. The risk of advanced adenoma recurrence was 2 times greater in patients with baseline advanced adenoma than in those with baseline non-advanced adenoma, though the difference was not statistically significant (6.8% [9/133] vs. 3.1% [8/254], P=0.09). Advanced adenoma recurrence was observed only in males and in subjects aged ≥50 years. In contrast, adenoma recurrence was observed in 187 patients (48.3%) at follow-up. Male sex, older age (≥50 years), and multiple adenomas (≥3) at baseline were independent risk factors for adenoma recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: A colonoscopy surveillance interval of 3 years in patients with baseline advanced adenoma can be considered appropriate.
Adenoma ; Asia ; Colon ; Colonic Polyps ; Colonoscopy ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; Male ; Prospective Studies ; Recurrence ; Risk Factors

PURPOSE: This study was performed to investigate the preventable death rate (PDR) in Daegu, South Korea, and to assess both its affecting- and preventable-factors to improve the treatment of regional trauma patients. METHODS: All cases of traumatic death that occurred between January 2012 and December 2012 in five hospitals in Daegu were analyzed retrospectively by a panel review. Cases were classified into preventable (P) and non-preventable deaths (NP). We determined the affecting factors of trauma deaths and preventable factors during trauma care. RESULTS: The PDR was 25.2%. Significant differences by mode of arrival, day of injury, cause of death, and time of emergency department (ED) arrival were observed between P and NP groups. According to the logistic regression analysis, preventability was associated with patients transferred from other hospitals, ED arrival at night and dawn, and non-head injuries. A total of 145 preventable factors were discovered in 59 preventable trauma deaths. When we categorized by location, the ED was the most common, with 71 cases, followed by 57 prehospital preventable factors. When we classified the preventable factors by process, 76.8% were process-related and 23.4% were structure-related. CONCLUSION: Our study is valuable to build an adequate trauma system in Daegu as it provides the baseline quality control data. Efforts to mediate the preventable factors were revealed in this study, and continuous reviews to calculate and track the PDR are needed to evaluate the local trauma system and establish a system specific to Daegu.
Cause of Death ; Daegu* ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Humans ; Korea* ; Logistic Models ; Mortality* ; Outcome and Process Assessment (Health Care) ; Quality Control ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSE: To investigate and compare the clinical manifestation and prognosis of preterm and full-term infants with Down syndrome (DS). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 80 patients diagnosed with DS and confirmed by chromosomal study at the Samsung Medical Center between January 1994 and July 2014. Data on demographic characteristics, associated anomalies, treatment, prognosis and cause of death were compared between preterm and full-term DS infants. RESULTS: Of the 80 confirmed DS patients, there were 49 (61%) full-term and 31 (38%) preterm DS infants. The mean gestational age of full-term DS infants was 38(+1)+/-0(+2) weeks (range, 37(+0)-40(+0) weeks) and the mean birth weight was 3,007+/-418 g (range, 1,930-4,100 g). The mean gestational age of preterm infants was 34(+1)+/-2(+1) weeks (range, 29(+1)-36(+6) weeks) and the mean birth weight was 2,181+/-598 g (range, 890-3,500 g). There were no differences in demographics, associated anomalies, mortality or related factors, or the rate of active treatment between full-term and preterm DS infants. CONCLUSION: In this single center study, the mortality rate of preterm DS infants was comparable to that of full-term DS infants. Larger national cohort studies might be needed to further investigate the prognosis of preterm DS infants.
Birth Weight ; Cause of Death ; Cohort Studies ; Demography ; Down Syndrome* ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Infant* ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Mortality ; Prognosis* ; Retrospective Studies

BACKGROUND: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is one of the most important causes of lower respiratory tract infection. The rapid antigen test is a simple, cheap, and quick method for RSV detection, however, it has an acknowledged low sensitivity. The aim of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic performance of the rapid antigen test by comparing it with a multiplex reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR). METHODS: A total of 557 nasopharyngeal aspirates or swabs that were submitted for both a rapid antigen test, Binax NOW RSV (Binax; Alere Scarborough, Inc., USA) and multiplex RT-PCR, Seeplex RV7 (Seegene Inc., Korea) were included in this study. We performed both tests according to the manufacturer's recommendations and analyzed the diagnostic performances of a rapid antigen tests based on the results of multiplex RT-PCR. RESULTS: Among the 557 specimens, the positive rates determined from the rapid antigen test and multiplex RT-PCR were 12.2% (N=68) and 25.1% (N=140), respectively. The relative sensitivity and specificity of the rapid antigen test were 46.4% and 99.3% based on the multiplex RT-PCR, respectively. Positive and negative predictive values were 95.6% and 84.7%, respectively. The diagnostic sensitivity was lower (28.6%) in children >36 months compared with children < or =36 months of age. Test sensitivity declined when RSV infection was accompanied by infection with other respiratory viruses. CONCLUSIONS: Binax NOW RSV exhibited good diagnostic performance, easy handling, and rapidity. However, it does have the possibility of false-negative results, and additional tests are needed when there is clinical suspicion of RSV infection.
Child ; Humans ; Respiratory Syncytial Viruses* ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; Sensitivity and Specificity

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) fluctuate considerably over time. However, it has not been determined whether these symptoms are affected by the menstrual cycle in female IBD patients. This study analyzed the effects of the menstrual cycle on IBD symptom variation. METHODS: This was a prospective study of 91 study subjects (47 IBD patients and 44 healthy controls) who reported daily symptoms and signs throughout their menstrual cycles. RESULTS: IBD patients had significantly more frequent gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea (30% vs 7%, p=0.006), flatulence (53% vs 22%, p=0.003), and abdominal pain as compared to controls (68% vs 38%, p=0.006). The IBD patients also experienced more frequent systemic premenstrual symptoms than the controls (79% vs 50%, p=0.003). More severe abdominal pain (p=0.002) and lower mean general condition scores (p=0.001) were noted during the menstrual phase as compared to the pre- or post-menstrual phase in both groups. IBD patients experienced more frequent premenstrual gastrointestinal symptoms than controls, but their IBD symptoms did not change significantly during the menstrual cycle. CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge of the cyclic alterations in gastrointestinal and systemic symptoms may be helpful in determining the true exacerbation of disease in female IBD patients.
Abdominal Pain ; Female ; Flatulence ; Humans ; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases ; Menstrual Cycle ; Nausea ; Prospective Studies

BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease is a common complication after liver transplantation. In this study, we analyzed the results of kidney biopsy in liver transplantation recipients with renal impairment. METHODS: Between 1999 and 2012, 544 liver transplants were performed at our hospital. We retrospectively analyzed the clinical and histological data of 10 liver transplantation recipients referred for kidney biopsy. RESULTS: The biopsies were performed at a median of 24.5 months (range, 3-73 months) after liver transplantation. The serum creatinine level was 1.81+/-0.5mg/dL at the time of kidney biopsy. There were no immediate complications. The most common diagnosis was glomerulonephritis (GN), such as immunoglobulin A nephropathy (n=4), mesangial proliferative GN(n=1), focal proliferative GN (n=1), and membranous GN (n=1). Typical calcineurin inhibitor (CNI)-induced nephrotoxicity was detected in three cases (30%).Chronic tissue changes such as glomerulosclerosis, interstitial fibrosis, and tubular atrophy were present in 90%, 80%,and 80% of cases, respectively, and mesangial proliferation was detected in 40%of cases. We began treatment for renal impairment based on the result of kidney biopsy; for example, angiotensin-receptor blockers or steroids were prescribed for GN, and the CNI dose was reduced for CNI nephrotoxicity. As a result, eight of 10 patients showed improvement in glomerular filtration rate, but two progressed to end-stage renal disease. CONCLUSION: Kidney biopsy is a safe and effective method for determining the cause of renal impairment after liver transplantation. Management of patients based on the result of kidney biopsy may improve renal outcomes.
Atrophy ; Biopsy* ; Calcineurin ; Creatinine ; Diagnosis ; Fibrosis ; Glomerular Filtration Rate ; Glomerulonephritis ; Glomerulonephritis, IGA ; Humans ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; Kidney* ; Liver Transplantation ; Liver* ; Methods ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic ; Retrospective Studies ; Steroids ; Transplantation*

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate thyroid dysfunction in obese children in Korea. METHOD: We measured body mass index and thyroid hormone in obese, overweight, and normal weight children who visited a pediatric clinic in Jeonju, Korea, from January 2009 to September 2012. RESULTS: The free thyroxoine (FT4) level of the obese group (16.35 +/- 2.79 pmol/L) was lower than levels of the overweight (17.65 +/- 2.31 pmol/L) and normal weight (17.28 +/- 2.35 pmol/L; P=0.012) groups. The average value of FT4 in severely obese children (15.71 +/- 1.68 pmol/L) was lower than those of mildly and moderately obese children (16.40 +/- 2.88 pmol/L). We found no significant difference in thyroid stimulating hormone level between the obese group and normal weight group. CONCLUSION: The FT4 level is lower in obese children than in normal weight children.
Body Mass Index ; Child ; Humans ; Korea ; Obesity ; Overweight ; Thyroid Gland ; Thyroid Hormones ; Thyrotropin

PURPOSE: Laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal herniorrhaphy (TEP) was developed as an alternative treatment of inguinal hernias to open hernia repair. This study evaluated 92 cases of laparoscopic surgery to determine the effectiveness and safety of laparoscopic TEP. METHODS: Laparoscopic TEP was performed on 92 patients with inguinal hernias from January 2008 to December 2010. Through a retrospective study of these patients, information om TEP repair was collected including the patients' characteristics, operation time, hospital stay, analgesic use and related complications. RESULTS: Laparoscopic herniorrhaphy were performed on a total of 92 patients (85 men and 7 women, age ranging from 16 to 83 years, with a mean of 56 years). The mean operation time for a unilateral inguinal hernia and bilateral inguinal hernia was 58.7 and 84.2 min, respectively. The mean postoperative hospital stay was 4.0 days (range, 2~9 days). Thirty nine patients were discharged without an analgesic injection, whereas 36 patients were injected with analgesic on the day of surgery. Of these 92 procedures, 10 complications were recorded; one granuloma complication, two patients with operation site discomfort, five with urinary retention issues, one patient with a scrotal seroma, and one patient with scrotal edema. CONCLUSION: TEP repairs have minimal morbidity and are more effective with less pain than the open procedure. TEP repair can be considered a favorable procedure for patients who request minimally invasive procedures for inguinal hernia repairs.
Female ; Granuloma ; Hernia ; Hernia, Inguinal ; Herniorrhaphy ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Length of Stay ; Male ; Pyrazines ; Retrospective Studies ; Seroma ; Urinary Retention

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to determine the population-based prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) and prediabetes in a rural district of Daegu City, Korea. METHODS: Between August and November 2003, a community-based health survey of adults aged 20 years and older was performed in the rural district of Dalseong-gun in Daegu City. A total of 1,806 of all eligible individuals agreed to participate. Fasting plasma glucose was measured in all participants. Two hour oral glucose tolerance was measured in the 1,773 participants for whom there was neither an established diagnosis of DM nor evidence of DM according to fasting glucose levels. The prevalence of DM and prediabetes was determined according to the 2003 criteria of the American Diabetes Association. Subjects with prediabetes were classified into one of three categories of glucose intolerance: isolated impaired fasting glucose (IFG); isolated impaired glucose tolerance (IGT); or combined IFG and IGT. RESULTS: The prevalence of DM was 12.2%. The highest prevalence rates were observed in subjects in their seventies. A total of 34.7% of all subjects who were assigned a diagnosis of DM in the present study had not been diagnosed previously. The prevalence of prediabetes was 22.7%. The highest prevalence rates were observed in subjects in their fifties. CONCLUSION: The present study identified prevalence rates of 12.2% for DM (age-standardized prevalence rate [ASR], 6.8%), and 22.7% for prediabetes (ASR 18.5%). These results emphasize the need for community health promotion strategies to prevent or delay the onset of DM in individuals with prediabetes.
Adult ; Aged ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Fasting ; Glucose ; Glucose Tolerance Test ; Health Promotion ; Health Surveys ; Humans ; Korea ; Plasma ; Prediabetic State ; Prevalence