Signal Detection for Adverse Events of Finasteride Using Korea Adverse Event Reporting System (KAERS) Database

To investigate signals of adverse drug reactions of finasteride by using the Korea Adverse Events Reporting System (KAERS) database. This pharmacovigilance was based on the database of the drug-related adverse reactions reported spontaneously to the KAERS from 2013 to 2017. This study was conducted by disproportionality analysis. Data mining analysis was performed to detect signals of finasteride. The signal was defined by three criteria as proportional reporting ratio (PRR), reporting odds ratio (ROR), and information component (IC). The signals of finasteride were compared with those of the other drugs; dutasteride (similar mechanism of action), minoxidil (different mechanism but similar indications for alopecia), silodosin (different mechanism but similar indications for BPH). It was examined whether the detected signals exist in drug labels in Korea. The total number of adverse eventdrug pairs was reported 2,665,429 from 2013 to 2017, of which 1,426 were associated with finasteride. The number of investigated signals of finasteride was 42. The signals that did not include in the drug label were 29 signals, including mouth dry, hypotension, dysuria etc. The signal of finasteride was similar to that of dutasteride and silodosin but was different to that of minoxidil. Early detection of signals through pharmacovigilance is important to patient safety. We investigated 29 signals of finasteride that do not exist in drug labels in Korea. Further pharmacoepidemiological studies should be needed to evaluate the signal causality with finasteride.

Intravitreal Dexamethasone Implantation in a Behcet's Disease Patient with Macular Edema, Vasculitis after Cataract Surgery

PURPOSE: To report a case of macular edema and retinal vasculitis treated with intravitreal dexamethasone implantation in a Behcet's disease patient after cataract surgery. CASE SUMMARY: A 26-year-old male with Behcet's disease, without recurrence of uveitis for 3 months, underwent phacoemulsification and posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation for a cataract in the left eye. The preoperative best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of the left eye was 0.15. At day 1 after surgery, his BCVA was 0.4, and slit lamp examination of his left eye revealed a mild anterior chamber reaction. At 1 week after surgery, he presented with left vision impairment, his BCVA was 0.04, and mild inflammation was observed in both the anterior chamber and the vitreous in his left eye. Unilateral macular edema was confirmed with optical coherence tomography, and fluorescein angiography revealed retinal vasculitis on the fovea and peripheral retina. Intravitreal dexamethasone implantation was performed in his left eye, 1 month after treatment, the macular edema and retinal vasculitis had improved, and the BCVA of his left eye was 0.8. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with Behcet's disease, intravitreal dexamethasone implantation can be an effective treatment option for macular edema and retinal vasculitis after cataract surgery.

Two Cases of Acute Retinal Necrosis after Viral Meningitis

PURPOSE: To report two cases of acute retinal necrosis following viral meningitis. CASE SUMMARY: A 52-year-old woman who has had viral meningitis presented with visual loss of right eye. Slit-lamp examination showed conjunctival injection and inflammatory cells (2+) in the anterior chamber of the right eye. Funduscopic examination showed multiple yellow-whitish spots in the peripheral retina. Fluorescein fundus angiography showed early hypofluorescence and the late vascular leak in the peripheral retina. After the patient was diagnosed with Acute retinal necrosis (ARN), intravenous acyclovir (2,100 mg/m²/day) was administered. During the treatment period, the retinal detachment of the right eye was found, so the authors performed pars plana vitrectomy. After the surgery, new retinal lesions weren't observed in both eyes during follow-up. A 57-year-old man previously treated with possible viral meningitis presented with visual loss of his right eye. Funduscopic examination showed multiple yellow-whitish spots in the peripheral retina. Fluorescein fundus angiography showed the late vascular leak in the peripheral retina. In the systemic evaluation, Herpes simplex virus and Cytomegalovirus immunoglobulin G were detected. With the impression of ARN, intravenous acyclovir (2,100 mg/m²/day) was administered. No new retinal lesions were observed in both eyes during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: We report rare cases of ARN occurring after viral meningitis. Uveitis in patients with recent history of meningitis should be examined carefully under the suspicion of ARN.

Gender Differences in Hypertension Control Among Older Korean Adults: Korean Social Life, Health, and Aging Project / 예방의학회지

OBJECTIVES: Controlling blood pressure is a key step in reducing cardiovascular mortality in older adults. Gender differences in patients' attitudes after disease diagnosis and their management of the disease have been identified. However, it is unclear whether gender differences exist in hypertension management among older adults. We hypothesized that gender differences would exist among factors associated with hypertension diagnosis and control among community-dwelling, older adults. METHODS: This cross-sectional study analyzed data from 653 Koreans aged > or =60 years who participated in the Korean Social Life, Health, and Aging Project. Multiple logistic regression was used to compare several variables between undiagnosed and diagnosed hypertension, and between uncontrolled and controlled hypertension. RESULTS: Diabetes was more prevalent in men and women who had uncontrolled hypertension than those with controlled hypertension or undiagnosed hypertension. High body mass index was significantly associated with uncontrolled hypertension only in men. Multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that in women, awareness of one's blood pressure level (odds ratio [OR], 2.86; p=0.003) and the number of blood pressure checkups over the previous year (OR, 1.06; p=0.011) might influence the likelihood of being diagnosed with hypertension. More highly educated women were more likely to have controlled hypertension than non-educated women (OR, 5.23; p=0.013). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that gender differences exist among factors associated with hypertension diagnosis and control in the study population of community-dwelling, older adults. Education-based health promotion strategies for hypertension control might be more effective in elderly women than in elderly men. Gender-specific approaches may be required to effectively control hypertension among older adults.

Tear Meniscus Evaluation Using Optical Coherence Tomography in Dry Eye Patients

PURPOSE: To evaluate the tear meniscus in aqueous tear-deficient dry eye patients using Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography (FD-OCT) and to investigate the clinical usefulness of tear meniscus values. METHODS: The present study included 79 aqueous tear-deficient dry eyes and 50 normal eyes. Tear meniscus height (TMH), tear meniscus depth (TMD), and tear meniscus area (TMA) were imaged using FD-OCT and measured with computer calipers. Schirmer's test, tear break-up time, and corneal fluorescein staining were also performed and the correlations between the tests were analyzed. Additionally, the diagnostic power of tear meniscus values was compared using area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC). RESULTS: Tear meniscus values were significantly decreased in the aqueous tear-deficient dry eye group (p < 0.05). TMH, TMD, and TMA were positively correlated with Schirmer's test and tear break-up time (p < 0.05), and TMH and TMD were negatively correlated with corneal fluorescein staining in the aqueous tear-deficient dry eye group (p < 0.05). The AUROCs of TMH, TMD, and TMA were 0.978, 0.788, and 0.957, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Tear meniscus values measured using FD-OCT were significantly lower in aqueous tear-deficient dry eyes and were correlated with Schirmer's test, tear break-up time, and corneal fluorescein staining. Tear meniscus measurements obtained using FD-OCT can be useful clinical parameters for the diagnosis and treatment of aqueous tear-deficient dry eye.

Tear Meniscus Evaluation Using Optical Coherence Tomography in Meibomein Gland Dysfunction Patients

PURPOSE: This study compared tear meniscus parameters between normal control, aqueous tear deficient dry eye, and meibomein gland dysfunction groups using Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography (FD-OCT). METHODS: This study included 33 normal eyes, 79 aqueous tear-deficient dry eyes (ATD), and 48 meibomein gland dysfunction dry eyes (MGD). Following routine examination including Schirmer test, tear break-up time, corneal staining, and tear meniscus parameters such as tear meniscus height (TMH), tear meniscus depth (TMD), and tear meniscus area (TMA) were obtained using FD-OCT. The differences among groups were assessed. RESULTS: The averages of TMH, TMD, and TMA were 295.58 +/- 58.36 microm, 166.67 +/- 30.43 microm, and 0.0360 +/- 0.01100 mm2 in normal eyes, respectively, 226.43 +/- 42.18 microm, 147.44 +/- 38.38 microm, and 0.0209 +/- 0.01015 mm2 in ATD, respectively, 272.81 +/- 64.21 microm, 159.37 +/- 44.05 microm, and 0.0295 +/- 0.01271 mm2 in MGD, respectively. Tear meniscus parameters were significantly lower in ATD. Tear meniscus parameters in MGD were higher than ATD and lower than normal eyes, but the TMA was the only statistically significant value. CONCLUSIONS: Although tear meniscus parameters in MGD were higher than ATD, they could not be distinguished from normal eyes. Tear meniscus evaluation using FD-OCT could be a useful measurement system in classification and treatment choice for dry eye patients.

Traumatic Rupture of the Superior Oblique Muscle Tendon

Traumatic rupture of the superior oblique muscle is rare. We report a case of a 54-year-old man injured by the metal hook of a hanger, resulting in a rupture of the superior oblique muscle tendon. He complained of torsional diplopia when in the primary position. The distal margin of the superior oblique muscle was reattached to sclera 5 and 9 mm apart from the medial insertion of the superior rectus muscle. One week after the operation, torsional diplopia disappeared. However, a 4-prism diopter ipsilateral hypertropia was observed. Three months later, hypertropia gradually increased to 20 prism dioptors and the second operation was done to correct vertical diplopia.

Comparing Clinical Outcomes of Descemet's Membrane Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty Between Graft Insertion Methods

PURPOSE: To compare clinical outcomes of Descemet's stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) between different graft insertion methods. METHODS: The clinical records of 32 eyes of 30 DSAEK patients were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to graft insertion method. Group A: Taco-folding, group B: Tan-endoglide. The best corrected visual acuities (BCVA), intraocular pressures, astigmatism, endothelial cell count, central corneal thickness and complications were evaluated pre and post-operatively. RESULTS: The average follow-up period was 19 months (range 1-67). Postoperative log MAR visual acuity had significantly improved both from 1.63 (log MAR) to 0.69 and 0.53 at 12 months in each group (p = 0.035, p = 0.000). Mean endothelial cell survival of each group at 1 month postoperative were 75.8% (range 62.7-88.6) and 87.7% (range 70.2-97.9), respectively (p = 0.012). The differences of BCVA improvement and endothelial cell survival between the groups at 12 months were not significant (p = 0.393, p = 0.544). CONCLUSIONS: Both methods showed fast visual recovery. Using Tan-endoglide insertion resulted less endothelial cell loss at early post-operative period and showed less post-operative complication and graft failure.

A Case of Conjunctival Myxoma Invading the Caruncle

PURPOSE: To report a rare case of conjunctival myxoma invading the caruncle. CASE SUMMARY: A 46-year-old man presented with a medical canthal conjunctival mass in his left eye. The mass was a semi-transparent, yellowish, movable mass 10 mm x 6 mm in size in the subconjunctival space. There was no pain and no tenderness. Excisional biopsy of the mass was performed. Histopathologic examination revealed findings suggestive of myxoma. CONCLUSIONS: Relatively transparent, movable, yellowish to pinkish conjunctival masses at medial canthal area without pain or tenderness can be diagnosed as myxoma on biopsy and myxoma can be seen at caruncle.

Spontaneous Resolution of Vitreoretinal-Iinterface Disorders

PURPOSE: To review the mechanisms and clinical patterns of spontaneous resolution of vitreoretinal interface disorders by analyzing cases and available literature on macular hole (MH), vitreoretinal traction (VMT), and epiretinal membrane (ERM). METHODS: Medical records and optical coherence tomography (OCT) images of patients with spontaneous resolution of MH, VMT, and ERM were reviewed. RESULTS: Two eyes with VMT, 3 eyes with idiopathic MH, 3 eyes of traumatic MH (including 1 eye with electrical burn), and 2 eyes with ERM showed spontaneous resolution. All eyes except traumatic MH reached a visual acuity better than 0.5 after resolution. All idiopathic MHs achieved anatomic closure in 6 months, and traumatic MHs in 1 month except for the electrical burn case. Seven out of 10 eyes experienced complete posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) during resolution. CONCLUSIONS: Some cases of vitreoretinal interface disorders can resolve spontaneously with complete PVD or other mechanisms. Indicators predicting spontaneous resolution should be considered in patients with vitreoretinal interface disorder.

Characteristics of Eating Behaviors of the Long-lived Elderly People in Kyungpook Sung-Ju / 대한지역사회영양학회지

The purpose of this study was to find out the common characteristics of eating behaviors of the long-lived elderly in order to offer the basic data for establishing dietary guidelines for a long and healthy life for the general population. The subjects were three-hundred elderly people over age 85 living in Kyungpook Sung-ju who have no problems in daily living. The general characteristics, nutrition knowledge and attitudes, meal patterns, and food preferences of the subjects were surveyed by individual intervies. The levels of the nutrition knowledge of the subjects were very low(average score ; 4.3) and the correlation coefficient between their nutrition knowledge and attitude score was also low(r=0.323, p=0.000). Most of the subjects(93%) had a regular meal pattern consuming three meals a day. The major staple food was rice mixed with other grains(75%) and the number of side dishes was mostly under four(99%). A majority(73%) had no habit of overeating and 51% of the subjects were taking snacks besides regular meals. Thirty one percent of the subjects had drinking habits and 80% of the drinking subjects had over 40 years of drinking history. The most common frequencies for intakes of various food groups were ; more than once a day(95%) for vegetables ; 2~3 times a week(74%) for green and orange color vegetables ; 2~3 times a week(72%) for fruits ; once a day(70%) for fish, eggs and legumes ; 2~3 times a week(49%) for milk ; 2~3 times a week(72%) for fruits ; once a day(70%) for fish, eggs and legumes ; 2-3 times a week(49%) for milk ; 2-3 times a week(85%) for seaweeds and 2-3 times a week(81%) for foods cooked with oil. The most preferred foods by the subjects were white rice(staple foods), soybean paste soup(soups), beef and eggs(meats and eggs), yellow croaker and hair tail(fish and shellfish), yoghurt(milk and milk products), all vegetables except carrot(vegetables), and watermelon(fruits). The popular food preparation methods included mixing with seasonings and the most preferred taste was sweet. The results showed that the eating pattern of long-lived elderly was characterized by regularity, simplicity, and no overeating.