Analysis of Pregnancy Outcomes among Interracial Couples in Korea

Yang, Sun Young,Jung, Un Suk,Hong, Hye-Ri,Hwang, Soon Young,Oh, Min-Jeong,Kim, Hai-Joong,Cho, Geum Joon KOREAN ACADEMY OF MEDICAL SCIENCE 2017 JOURNAL OF KOREAN MEDICAL SCIENCE Vol.32 No.10

<P>Although the prevalence of interracial marriages in Korea is increasing, little is known regarding the pregnancy outcomes of interracial couples. The aim of this study was to investigate the differences in pregnancy outcomes between Korean and interracial Korean-foreign couples. Data for infants born in 2011 and 2012 were obtained from the national birth registry of the Korean Statistical Office. The couples were subdivided into Korean father-Korean mother, Korean father-foreign mother, and foreign father-Korean mother groups. Pregnancy outcomes included neonates with low birth weight (< 2,500 g) and those with high birth weight (> 4,000 g). In 2010 and 2011, 888,447 Korean father-Korean mother, 36,024 Korean father-foreign mother, and 4,955 foreign father-Korean mother neonates were delivered in Korea. After adjustment for parental age, educational level, parity, gestational age at delivery, and neonatal sex, the birth weights were found to be different between groups, with the highest number of foreign father-Korean mother and lowest number of Korean father-foreign mother pregnancies. Based on multivariate logistic regression analysis, the risk of low and large birth weights was higher in the Korean father-foreign mother and foreign father-Korean mother groups, respectively, compared with that in the Korean father-Korean mother group. There are significant differences in pregnancy outcomes including birth weights between Korean and interracial Korean-foreign couples.</P>

Relationship Between Metabolic Syndrome and Familial History of Hypertension/Stroke, Diabetes, and Cardiovascular Disease

Paek, Kyung Won,Chun, Ki Hong,Lee, Kwan Woo KOREAN ACADEMY OF MEDICAL SCIENCE 2006 JOURNAL OF KOREAN MEDICAL SCIENCE Vol.21 No.1-6

<P>This research analyzes the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) in Korea and examines how the presence of a familial history of diseases related to MS, such as hypertension/stroke, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes, affect the development of MS in Koreans. The prevalence of MS and its components, as defined by the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel guidelines, were evaluated in nationally representative samples of non-institutionalized civilian Koreans. This analysis is based on the 2001 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, which used a stratified multistage probability sampling design. The final study included 5,742 adults who had completed the necessary health examinations and met the diagnosis of MS. The prevalence of MS was 25.5% in men and 28.7% in women. Odds ratio for MS among men with a familial history of hypertension/stroke was higher than that among men who did not have this history. The OR for MS among women with a familial history of hypertension/stroke or diabetes was higher than that among women who had no familial history of these diseases. These results show that familial history of hypertension/stroke and diabetes was significantly related to the presence of MS in both young men and women.</P>

The Combination of Tiotropium and Budesonide in the Treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Um, Sang-Won,Yoo, Chul-Gyu,Kim, Young Whan,Han, Sung Koo,Shim, Young-Soo KOREAN ACADEMY OF MEDICAL SCIENCE 2007 JOURNAL OF KOREAN MEDICAL SCIENCE Vol.22 No.5

<P>Because additive effects of inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting anticholinergics are unclear, we undertook this study to compare the efficacy of tiotropium alone and tiotropium plus budesonide in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The study subjects were randomized to receive either tiotropium 18 µg once daily with or without budesonide 200 µg twice daily for 6 weeks. The efficacy variables were changes in trough forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), 6-minute walk distance (6MWD), and use of rescue medication. One hundred patients were randomized and 81 completed the study. The mean age was 64.0 yr, and the mean FEV1 was 39.7% predicted. Compared with tiotropium alone (N=40), the tiotropium/budesonide combination (N=41) was related to an improvement in the SGRQ total score (tiotropium -2.8 units and tiotropium/budesonide -5.6 units, <I>p</I>=0.003). 6MWD was improved by 13.5 m in the tiotropium group and by 22.5 m in the tiotropium/budesonide group (<I>p</I>=0.031). Changes in trough FEV1 and the use of rescue medication were similar between two groups. In conclusion, compared with tiotropium alone, the tiotropium/budesonide combination was related to an improved health-related quality of life. These data support that low-dose budesonide may enhance the efficacy of tiotropium.</P>

The First Successful Lung Transplantation in a Korean Child with Cystic Fibrosis

Noh, Soo Ran,Lee, Eun,Yoon, Jisun,Jung, Sungsu,Yang, Song-I,Yu, Jinho,Hong, Soo-Jong KOREAN ACADEMY OF MEDICAL SCIENCE 2017 JOURNAL OF KOREAN MEDICAL SCIENCE Vol.32 No.12

<P>Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive inherited multisystem disorder caused by mutations of the gene encoding the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein. Respiratory failure remains the most frequent cause of morbidity and mortality. Lung transplantation is the only option to treat end-stage lung disease. Very few cases of CF occur in Koreans. We report the case of a 12-year-old girl with respiratory failure due to CF who underwent lung transplantation. She had been diagnosed with CF 8 years previously after being treated for recurrent <I>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</I> pneumonia and malnutrition based on sweat chloride concentrations and the CFTR protein gene mutation test. Progression to end-stage lung disease and respiratory failure led to registration with the Korean Network for Organ Sharing. She underwent successful double lung transplantation in 2014. Although she has diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease, she has a better quality of life and a prolonged life expectancy.</P>

Sleep Quality Independently Affects Health-related Quality of Life and Cognitive Function in Korean Female Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis: a Case-control Study

Kim, Seo Hwa,Kim, Haneul,Kim, Seungju,Paek, SeungIn,Koh, Jung Hee,Lee, Jennifer,Cho, Yong-Won,Park, Sung-Hwan KOREAN ACADEMY OF MEDICAL SCIENCE 2018 JOURNAL OF KOREAN MEDICAL SCIENCE Vol.33 No.35

<P><B>Background</B></P><P>This study aimed to address sleep quality in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to determine how it affects health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and cognitive function.</P><P><B>Methods</B></P><P>One hundred and twenty-three patients with RA and 76 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. Sleep quality was assessed using the Korean version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Cognitive function and HRQoL was evaluated by a Korean-Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA-K) and 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), respectively. Other clinical, demographic, and laboratory data were obtained from retrospective medical chart review.</P><P><B>Results</B></P><P>More patients in the RA group reported poor sleep quality (PSQI > 5) than in the control group (61% [75/123] vs. 39.5% [30/76]; <I>P</I> = 0.003). Total PSQI was also significantly higher in the RA group (median [interquartile range], 7 [5–11] vs. 5 [3–6.75]; <I>P</I> = 0.001). Total PSQI score negatively correlated with MoCA-K score (Spearman's rho (<I>r</I>) = −0.223; <I>P</I> = 0.003) with a physical component summary (PCS) of SF-36 (<I>r</I> = −0.221; <I>P</I> = 0.003) and a mental component summary (MCS) of SF-36 (<I>r</I> = −0.341; <I>P</I> < 0.001), which means that poor sleep quality was associated with poor cognitive function and low HRQoL.</P><P><B>Conclusion</B></P><P>The findings of this study suggest that poor sleep quality is an independent risk factor for low HRQoL and cognitive dysfunction. Efforts to improve the sleep quality of RA patients seem to be an important aspect of integrative treatment for RA.</P>

Effect of Weight Reduction on Metabolic Syndrome in Korean Obese Patients

Park, Hye Soon,Sim, Su Jung,Park, Jung Yul Korean Academy of Medical Science 2004 Journal of Korean medical science Vol.19 No.2

Report on the Project for Establishment of the Standardized Korean Laboratory Terminology Database, 2015

Jung, Bo Kyeung,Kim, Jeeyong,Cho, Chi Hyun,Kim, Ju Yeon,Nam, Myung-Hyun,Shin, Bong Kyung,Rho, Eun Youn,Kim, Sollip,Sung, Heungsup,Kim, Shinyoung,Ki, Chang-Seok,Park, Min Jung,Lee, Kap-No,Yoon, Soo-You KOREAN ACADEMY OF MEDICAL SCIENCE 2017 JOURNAL OF KOREAN MEDICAL SCIENCE Vol.32 No.4

<P>The National Health Information Standards Committee was established in 2004 in Korea. The practical subcommittee for laboratory test terminology was placed in charge of standardizing laboratory medicine terminology in Korean. We aimed to establish a standardized Korean laboratory terminology database, Korea-Logical Observation Identifier Names and Codes (K-LOINC) based on former products sponsored by this committee. The primary product was revised based on the opinions of specialists. Next, we mapped the electronic data interchange (EDI) codes that were revised in 2014, to the corresponding K-LOINC. We established a database of synonyms, including the laboratory codes of three reference laboratories and four tertiary hospitals in Korea. Furthermore, we supplemented the clinical microbiology section of K-LOINC using an alternative mapping strategy. We investigated other systems that utilize laboratory codes in order to investigate the compatibility of K-LOINC with statistical standards for a number of tests. A total of 48,990 laboratory codes were adopted (21,539 new and 16,330 revised). All of the LOINC synonyms were translated into Korean, and 39,347 Korean synonyms were added. Moreover, 21,773 synonyms were added from reference laboratories and tertiary hospitals. Alternative strategies were established for mapping within the microbiology domain. When we applied these to a smaller hospital, the mapping rate was successfully increased. Finally, we confirmed K-LOINC compatibility with other statistical standards, including a newly proposed EDI code system. This project successfully established an up-to-date standardized Korean laboratory terminology database, as well as an updated EDI mapping to facilitate the introduction of standard terminology into institutions.</P>

Mean Hand Grip Strength and Cut-off Value for Sarcopenia in Korean Adults Using KNHANES VI

Yoo, Jun-Il,Choi, Hana,Ha, Yong-Chan KOREAN ACADEMY OF MEDICAL SCIENCE 2017 JOURNAL OF KOREAN MEDICAL SCIENCE Vol.32 No.5

<P>The purpose of this study was to report age- and gender-specific distribution of the hand grip strength (HGS) using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) VI-3 (2015) survey and determine cut-off values for low muscle strength of HGS of Koreans. Of a total of 7,380 participants, 4,553 were subjected to measurements of HGS, including 1,997 men and 2,556 women with a mean age of 49.3 years (range, 19–80 years). The mean ages of men and women were 49.0 and 49.5 years, respectively. HGS was measured using a digital hand dynamometer. It was defined as maximal measured grip strength of the dominant hand. The cut-off value for low muscle strength was defined as the lower 20th percentile of HGS of the study population. Maximum grip strength of men was significantly higher than that of women (40.2 kg in men vs. 24.2 kg in women, <I>P</I> < 0.001). The mean HGS was increased from the age of 19 to 39 years. It was peaked in the age of 35 to 39 years range for both men and women. It was then decreased after 39 years. The cut-off values of HGS in male and female elderly healthy populations were 28.6 and 16.4 kg, respectively. These data might be used as reference values when evaluating sarcopenia and assessing hand injuries.</P>

Association between Nutrient Intake and Obesity in Type 2 Diabetic Patients from the Korean National Diabetes Program: A Cross-Sectional Study

Kim, So Hun,Hong, Seong Bin,Suh, Young Ju,Choi, Yun Jin,Nam, Moonsuk,Lee, Hyoung Woo,Park, Ie Byung,Chon, Suk,Woo, Jeong-Taek,Baik, Sei Hyun,Park, Yongsoo,Kim, Dae Jung,Lee, Kwan Woo,Kim, Young Seol The Korean Academy of Medical Sciences 2012 JOURNAL OF KOREAN MEDICAL SCIENCE Vol.27 No.10

<P>The aim of the study was to assess the association between usual dietary nutrient intake and obesity in Korean type 2 diabetic patients. We examined 2,832 type 2 diabetic patients from the Korean National Diabetes Program cohort who completed dietary assessment and clinical evaluation in this cross-sectional study. In men, higher dietary fiber intake was associated with a lower odds of being obese (<I>P<SUB>trend</SUB></I> = 0.003) and in women, higher protein intake was associated with a lower odds of being obese (<I>P<SUB>trend</SUB></I> = 0.03) after adjustment for age, diabetes duration, HbA1c, alcohol drinking, income, education level, and calorie intake. In men, higher fiber intake was associated with lower odds of obesity after further adjustment for diastolic blood pressure, physical activity, and possible confounding nutritional intake and medication. The multivariable adjusted odds ratio for the highest quintile of fiber intake was 0.37 (<I>P<SUB>trend</SUB></I> < 0.001). In women, protein intake was not associated with obesity after further adjustment. In conclusion, higher intake of dietary fiber is associated with lower odds of being obese in type 2 diabetic men, suggesting a role for dietary fiber in the management and prevention of obesity in type 2 diabetes (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT 01212198).</P>

Long-term Follow-up of Laparoscopic Splenectomy in Patients with Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura

Kang, Chang Moo,Lee, Jae Gil,Kim, Kyung Sik,Choi, Jin Sub,Lee, Woo Jung,Kim, Byong Ro,Ko, Yoon Woong,Han, Ji Sook,Min, Yoo Hong The Korean Academy of Medical Sciences 2007 JOURNAL OF KOREAN MEDICAL SCIENCE Vol.22 No.3

<P>Laparoscopic splenectomy (LS) has been reserved for intractable and relapsing immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) despite medical treatment. With further experiences of LS in ITP, we investigated long term outcomes of LS, especially newly developed morbidities, and tried to find predictive factors for favorable outcomes. From August 1994 to December 2004, fifty-nine patients whose follow-up period was more than 12 months after LS were investigated. After a long-term follow-up (median 54 months, range 12.5-129 months), a complete response (CR) was found in 28 patients (47.5%), partial response in 24 (40.7%), and no response in 7 (11.9%). The relapse rate during follow-up periods was 15.2%. The rapid response group (<I>p</I>=0.017), in which the platelet count increased more than twice of the preoperative platelet count within 7 days after LS, relapsing after medical treatment (<I>p</I>=0.02), and the satisfactory group as the initial result of LS (<I>p</I>=0.001) were significant for predicting CR in univariate analysis, but only the initial satisfactory group was an independent predictive factor for CR in multivariate analysis (<I>p</I>=0.036, relative risk=6419; 95% CI, 1.171-35.190). Infections were the most frequent morbidities during the follow-up period, which were treated well without mortality. LS is a safe and effective treatment modality for ITP. Active referral to surgery might be required, considering complications and treatment results related to long-term use of steroid-based medications.</P>