BACKGROUND: On retrospective basis, we investigated the detection of osteoporotic vertebral fractures (OVFs) without radiologic collapse using a modified Yoshida's classification, which was designed by the authors. METHODS: We observed 82 cases in 76 patients with confirmed OVFs without collapse at the thoracolumbar junction. The following factors were measured: age, gender, body mass index (BMI, kg/m2), bone mineral density (BMD, mg/cm3), type of a modified Yoshida's classification. The correct diagnosis rate for the presence and location of OVFs and the correct diagnosis rate according to the morphological type by a modified Yoshida's classification of the OVFs were analyzed. RESULTS: The mean BMI was 21.2; mean BMD, 44.1; and T-score, -4.4. As for the four subtypes of anterior cortical morphological change, there were 14 cases of the protruding type, 12 cases of the indented type, 5 cases of the disrupted type and 8 cases of the prow type. As for the three subtypes of endplate depression, there were 20 cases of upper endplate depression, 12 cases of lower endplate depression and 11 cases of endplate slippage type. According to the examiners, there was a significant difference between being informed before and after the modified Yoshida's classification. For the relationship of examiners and the type of fracture, there was a significant difference between being informed before and after the modified Yoshida's classification, particularly in the protruding type and the upper plate type. CONCLUSIONS: A modified Yoshida's classification can be helpful for the diagnosis of OVFs without radiologic collapse in a simple radiograph.
Body Mass Index ; Bone Density ; Classification ; Depression ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to implement Health Plus Happiness Plus projects in Gyeongsangnam-Do and assess the policy implications of initiatives to address regional health inequalities. METHODS: Health Plus Happiness Plus projects were started as strategies to address regional health inequalities in Gyeongsangnam-Do. The principles of these projects are taken from the Health Action Zones initiatives in England: participation, partnership, resource concentration in project areas. The time period for these projects is from 2010 to 2017, and the total budget is 5.6 billion won. In 2010, a 6.8 hundred million won total budget was invested in 17 project areas. Such investments fell into four broad categories: establishment of the means and local framework; survey development to analyze the health determinants; development of an education and training center; and establishment of a technical support center. RESULTS: Education and training programs for practitioners and coordinators were provided, and project teams and project promotion committees were established in project areas. Health survey result briefing meetings were held, and 17 health committees were established in project areas. CONCLUSIONS: Health Plus Happiness Plus projects have some problems in relation to participation and partnerships, however, if these principled projects are performed continuously, they will contribute to a reduction of standardized mortality rate and regional health inequalities in Gyeongsangnam-Do and the improvement of residents' well-being in project areas.
Budgets ; Happiness ; Health Surveys ; Investments ; Socioeconomic Factors

PURPOSE: An anthracofibrosis(AF), dark multiple anthracotic pigmentations combined with narrowing and obstruction of bronchi, was reported to be strongly related with past and active pulmonary tuberculosis. This study was performed to determine whether anti-tuberculous regiemens would be helpful in patients with anthracofibrosis who failed to demonstrate the evidences of pulmonary tuberculosis. METHODS: Twenty-two patients with multiple anthracotic pigmentations in bronchia mucosa with luminal narrowing were enrolled in this study. The bacteriological and histological findings for Mycobacterium tuberculosis was reviwed in each patients. They are composed of 8 males and 14 females ranging from 55 to 85 years old in age. RESULTS: The most common symptoms were coughing(73%, 16/22), followed by sputum(41%, 9/22), dyspnea on exertion (32%, 7/22), and hemoptysis(27%, 6/22). The evidence of pulmonary tuberculosis, defined by positive AFB smear or culture of Mycobacterium tuberculosis from sputum or bronchial washing fluid or histological findings of granuloma with caseous necrosis, were found in eleven patients(50%) and the others has showed no evidences. Among 11 patients without pulmonary tuberculosis, only one patient showed the evidences of pulmonary tuberculosis after 16 months, and the 8 patients still showed no evidence of pulmonary tuberculosis during follow-up periods of ranging from 8 months to 60 months. CONCLUSION: Beause the authracofibrosis is closely related to tuberculosis, it needs to find out extensively the evidences of tuberculosis in patient with authracofibrosis. Chemotherapy for tuberculosis should be administrated only with confirmation of tuberculosis on bacteriologic study.
Bronchi ; Drug Therapy ; Dyspnea ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Granuloma ; Humans ; Male ; Mucous Membrane ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis ; Necrosis ; Phenobarbital ; Pigmentation ; Sputum ; Tuberculosis ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary