Examination of Geographical, Clinical and Intrahost Variations in the 3' Repeat Region of CagA Gene in Helicobacter pylori

The size variation of the cytoxin-associated protein (cagA), which is dependent on the 3' repeat region (3'RR) of the cagA gene, is known to play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of Helicobacter pylori infection. The present study evaluated the relationship between the 3'RR variation and the geographic distribution, clinical manifestations, and locations of colonization in the stomach. We evaluated the 3'RR of H. pylori isolates from 78 patients with gastric cancer, peptic ulcer, and non-ulcer dyspepsia from Japan, Hong Kong, India, and the United States and assessed the variations of 3'RR according to the geographical and clinical characteristics. Sixty eight (87.2%) patients had the same 650 bp band without geographical differences. The frequency of polymorphisms in the 3'RR did not differ when compared to the clinical manifestations (P=0.868). The length of 3'RR did not differ by location of colonization. In conclusion, the 3'RR variation of cagA gene is not associated with the geographical and clinical characteristics of the patients studied.

A Case of Primary Pancreatic Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

Primary pancreatic lymphoma is rare, comprising 0.2~4.9% of all pancreatic malignancies and less than 1% of cases of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Many patients are diagnosed with lymphoma after radical resection. We report a rare presentation of diffuse large B cell lymphoma, appearing as a primary tumor of the pancreas. A 61-year old female was admitted to the hospital with the complaint of right upper abdominal pain. Computed tomography of the abdomen showed a well defined mass located at the head of the pancreas. A frozen section of pancreas, during laparotomy, revealed lymphoma. The patient received 6 cycles of chemotherapy and is currently in complete remission. This case underscores the importance of differentiating primary lymphoma from the more common adenocarcinoma of the pancreas as treatment and prognosis differ significantly. Primary pancreatic lymphoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of pancreatic tumors and an attempt to obtain a tissue diagnosis is always necessary before proceeding to radical surgery, especially on young patients.

Comparison of Hemostatic Efficacy between Epinephrine Injection Alone and a Combined Therapy with Hemoclip for Bleeding Peptic Ulcers / 대한소화기내시경학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Many studies have been performed to find the differences between using epinephrine injection alone and a combination therapy with hemoclip for bleeding peptic ulcer, but the results have been controversial. We retrospectively evaluated the hemostatic efficacy for epinephrine injection alone and injection combined with hemoclip for bleeding peptic ulcers. METHODS: Four hundred patients were enrolled. They were assigned to one of the two groups: endoscopic hemostasis with injection of epinephrine (group I, n=156) and combined epinephrine injection with hemoclip (group II, n=244). RESULTS: The continuous bleeding rate was significantly higher in group I than in group II. The recurrent bleeding rate was also significantly higher in group I than in group II. There were no statistical differences in the rates of death, emergency surgery and arterial embolization. The rates of continuous bleeding and the initial failure of hemostasis were higher for the patients with active bleeding on the initial endoscopy irrespective of the applied hemostatic methods. CONCLUSIONS: A combination of epinephrine injection and hemoclip is more effective than epinephrine injection alone for treating bleeding peptic ulcers.

The Factors Related to the Prognosis of Solitary Hepatocellular Carcinoma after Radiofrequency Ablation / 대한간학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Several risk factors, such as size and location, are related to local recurrence after radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The objectives of this study were to clarify factors related to prognosis. METHODS: From October 1999 to December 2002, we performed RFA for 107 consecutive patients with solitary HCC. We evaluated spiral computed tomography and serum alpha-fetoprotein level every 3 months after RFA. Seven possible factors for prognosis were analyzed using the Cox proportional hazards regression model: tumor size, tumor location, age, sex, etiology, platelet count, and Child-Pugh classification. Overall survival and disease free survival rate were estimated using the Kaplan- Meier method, and differences between two groups were compared using the log rank test. RESULTS: The Kaplan-Meier estimates of overall survival after radiofrequency ablation were 90.5% at 12 months, 67.4% at 24 months and 46.4% at 36 months and disease free survival were 71.4%, 46.7% and 20.9%, respectively. Using the Cox proportional hazards regression model, it was shown that with regard to overall survival and disease free survival, Child-Pugh classification (P=0.001, P=0.026) and platelet count (P<0.001, P=0.002) were statistically significant factors. The other factors did not have a statistically significant relationship to overall survival and disease free survival. CONCLUSIONS: The size and location known as local recurrence factors were not statistically significant with regard to survival and disease free survival. The Child-Pugh classification and platelet count, that reflect the liver function at the time of RFA, were significant factors for prognosis.

Risk Factors Related to Bleeding after Endoscopic Mucosal Resection of Gastric Tumors / 대한소화기내시경학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) has been widely used for treatment of gastric mucosal tumors because of its relative safety and minimal invasiveness. However, the bleeding after EMR has been regarded as a major complication. Herein, we assessed the bleeding rates and risk factors related to bleeding after EMR. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of two hundred and fortynine patients with 283 lesions who underwent EMR for flat adenoma (78.8%), hyperplastic polyp (4.9%), and early gastric cancer (16.3%) from January 1999 to August 2003. Bleeding during EMR was defined as an immediate bleeding while bleeding on follow-up day endoscopy after EMR was considered as an delayed bleeding We evaluated risk factors related to bleeding using univariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Bleeding after EMR occurred in 99 patients (35%). Immediate bleeding occurred in 31.8% and was more frequent in the case of beginners, upper part of the stomach or EMR prcedures using needle knife. Delayed bleeding occurred in 7.1% and was more frequent in the case of flat or depressed lesions, or occurrence after the incidence of immediate bleeding. Risk factors related to EMR bleeding were experience of operator (beginner vs. expert, p= 0.001), anatomical location (upper vs. lower, p=0.018), and methods of procedure (needle-knife vs. snare or band, p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that experience of operator, anatomical location, and method of procedure were the risk factors related to bleeding after EMR.

Clear Cell Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Spontaneous Regression of Primary and Metastatic Lesions

The prognosis of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tends to be poor. Spontaneous regression of this lesion is extremely rare. In this report, we describe a case of HCC which spontaneously regressed along with a metastatic lesion of the chest wall. A huge HCC in the right lobe, the largest diameter of which was about 15x12 cm, developed in a 72-year-old man. He and his family refused further treatment. Three months after the diagnosis, metastasis to the chest wall was detected. We prescribed a painkiller for him in order to alleviate chest pain. Fourteen months after the diagnosis, the tumor size of the primary lesion was downsized to 3x4 cm in diameter. A biopsy taken from the chest wall proved to be clear cell HCC (CHCC). Since then, the metastatic lesion has also disappeared. Here, we report this unusual histologically proven CHCC with literature reviews.

Gastric lymphangioma

Gastric lymphangioma is a rare benign gastric tumor composed of unilocular or multilocular lymphatic spaces. On gastrofiberscopy a submucosal tumor covered with smooth transparent normal mucosa is revealed in the stomach with or without a stalk. Endoscopic ultrasonography has become an indispensable tool for differentiating these gastric tumors. Treatment of lymphangioma depends on its size, location, and presence of complications. Endoscopic resection is safe and easy and plays an important role in confirming the diagnosis and treatment of the tumors especially of small-sized ones. We report a case of gastric lymphangioma in a 68-yr-old woman who presented with nausea and vague epigastric discomfort for two months. She was diagnosed by gastrofiberscopy with endoscopic ultrasonography and treated successfully with endoscopic resection by strip biopsy method.

A Case of Focal Nodular Hyperplasia of the Liver / 대한간학회지

Focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) is a rare benign hepatic tumor occurring predominantly in women of childbearing age. Generally oral contraceptive is not associated with FNH but might accentuate the vascular abnormalities which may cause the lesion to enlarge and, very rarely, to rupture. FNH is typically asymptomatic and seldom bleeds. Often it is incidentally observed during imaging procedures performed for some other reasons. The histologic feature of FNH is characterized by areas of localized growth of mature hepatocytes and septal fibrosis. Surgical resection is seldom required because of the benign nature of the lesion and its lack of significant complication. We experienced a case of focal nodular hyperplasia without liver cirrhosis confirmed by surgical resection and histologic examination. in a 47-year-old man.

Diagnostic Accuracy of Ultrasonography-guided Needle Biopsy of the Liver as determined by Postsurgical Sampling / 대한간학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: It is questionable whether the needle biopsy of the liver can represent the whole pathology of the liver. This study evaluates the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonography-guided needle biopsy of the liver as determined by surgically resected liver. METHOD: The histopathologic findings of preoperative ultrasonography-guided needle biopsy for confirming the background liver disease and surgically resected liver were compared in the 40 patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma. RESULTS: 1) Of the 40 cases, 30 (75.0%) cases showed the same histopathological diagnosis between the two methods. Their histopathological results were: 20 cases of cirhosis, 6 cases of chronic hepatitis and 4 cases of normal tissue. 2) There was a direct proportion between histologic concordance, the number of portal areas, and the size of the needle biopsy specimen. The histologic concordance rate was 79.2% in the cases with 4 portal areas in their biopsy sample and 100% in the cases with more than 5 areas. 3) Of the 10 cases in which diagnostic discrepancy was found between the two methods, 8 cases of chronic hepatitis and 1 case of normal tissue, all diagnosed by needle biopsy, proved to be cirrhosis by surgically resected liver. One case of normal tissue proved to be chronic hepatitis. The causes of diagnostic error were fragmentations of tissue and inadequate specimens. CONCLUSION: The diagnostic accuracy of the ultrasonography-guided needle biopsy of the liver was 75.0% in our study. To lessen the diagnostic error, at least 4 or more portal areas should be contained in the biopsy sample and the fragmentation of tissue should be minimized.

Ultrasonographic findings of early abortion: suggested predictors

To investigate predictable ultrasonographic findings of early abortion. To investigate objective rules for the screening of abortion Ultrasonographic examination of 111 early pregnancies between the sixth and ninth week in women who had regular 28 day menstrual cycles was performed. Ultrasonographic measurements of the gestational sac. Crown rump length and fetal heart rate were performed using a linear array real time transducer with doppler ultrasonogram. All measurements of 17 early abortions were compared to those of 94 normal pregnancies. Most of early aborted pregnanices were classified correctly by disciminant analysis with G-SAC and CRL (GSAC=0.5 CRL+15. Sensitivity 76.5%, specificity 96.8%). With the addition of FHR, 94.1 of early abortions could be predicted. In conclusion, ultrasonographic findings of early intrauterine growth retardation. Small gestational sac and bradycardia can be predictable signs suggestive of poor prognosis of early pregnancies.

Predictable ultrasonographic findings of early abortion

Early fetal growth delay and early oligohydramnios have been suspected as signs of embryonal jeopardy. However, little information is available for the prediction of early abortion. Sonographic examination of 111 early pregnancies between the sixth and ninth gestational week with regular, 28 day menstrual cycles was performed to investigate predictable sonographic findings of early abortion. Sonographic measurements of the gestational sac (G-SAC), crown-rump length (CRL) and fetal heart rate (FHR) were performed using a linear array real time transducer with Doppler. All measurements of 17 early abortions were compared to those of 94 normal pregnancies to investigate the objective rules for the screening of early abortion. Most of the early aborted pregnancies were classified correctly by discriminant analysis with G-SAC and CRL (G-SAC = 0.5222 CRL + 14.6673 = 0.5 CRL + 15, sensitivity 76.5% specificity 96.8%). With the addition of FHR, 94.1% of early abortions could be predicted. In conclusion, sonographic findings of early intrauterine growth retardation, early oligohydromnios and bradycardia can be predictable signs for the poor prognosis of early pregnancies.

A quentitative model for the projection of health expenditure / 예방의학회지

A multiple regression analysis using ordinary least square (OLS) is frequently used for the projection of healt expenditure as well as for the identification of factors affecting health care costs. Data for the analysis often have mixed characteristics of time series and cross section. Parameters as a result of OLS estimation, in this case, are no longer the best linear unbiased estimators (BLUE) because the data do not satisfy basic assumptions of regression analysis. The study theoretically examined statistical problems induced when OLS estimation was applied with the time series cross section data. Then both the OLS regression and time series cross section regression (TSCS regression) were applied to the same empirical data. Finally, the difference in parameters between the two estimations were explained through residual analysis.

Analysis of Sports Medical Care Utilization during the 24th Seoul Olympic Games / 예방의학회지

This study made a descriptive analysis of the cumulative amount and rate of sports medical care utilization during the 24th Seoul Olympic Games by the participating athletes, officials, etc. The sports medical care utilization was a component of the total medical care use and was basically caused by the prevention and treatment of sports injuries. The analytic data were derived from the Olympic Health Management Information System (OHMIS) of the SLOOC and the Korea Athlete Trainer Association(KATA). These were analyzed according to the., quantity of physician visits and the utilization rate, which was the amount of utilization divided by the total number of participating persons. The results were as follows: Firstly, the sports medical care utilization by the persons participating in the Seoul Olympics amounted to 17.9 % of the total medical care utilization. The venue medical services utilization accounted for 54.7 % of the total physician visits, which was larger than the village medical center's utilization. The number of physician visits per hundred persons during the 2 week period in the venue clinic was 3.03 and that of the village medical center was 2.51, therefore, the total was 5.54. Secondly, athletes accounted for 82.3% and officials 12.2% in the sports medical care utilization by participants. These results were because athletes, who were directly related to the games, called extremely often on the physicians. The utilization rate of sports medical care by athletes was 34.29. Thirdly, the sports medical demand according to type of therapy could be ranked from high to low in the following order: sports massage, thermal therapy, and electrical stimulation treatment, etc. The department of physical therapy in the village medical center was used a great deal. Fourthly, the trend of daily sports medical care utilization by the athletes showed a bell shape centering around the opening day of the Seoul Olympic Games. The utilization rate of athletes was 2.3; however, that of officials was 0.6. Lastly, the sports medical demand was calculated according to the continents, and Central America, Africa and Middle-East Asia proved to have a higher rate of sports medical care utilization than the more powerful and industrialized continent or regions.

Cost-benefit Analysis of Health Screening Test for the Insured / 예방의학회지

As a result of cost-benefit analysis by making a macroscopic approach to the health screening projects conducted 4 times since 1980 for the insured people of the Korea Medical Insurance Corporation, the following conclusions were reached. 1. The direct costs put into the health screening project, and the time costs which were paid by examines or calculated in terms of social costs have been estimated. The results is that the lowest estimation was 10,337 million won and the highest 15,141 million won when a minimum of 1.5 hours of time spent and a maximum 4 hours were applied. 2. In terms of the psychiatric benefits, the lowest estimation was 5,341 million won while the highest was 5,585 million won. 3. In terms of the benefits for each kind of diseases, the lowest estimation of 37,188 million won and highest estimation of 74,383 million won have been calculated for the liver diseases. And for the cardiovascular diseases, the minimum estimation was 14,475 million won while the maximum was 20,532 million won. In case of pulmonary tuberculosis, with external effect benefits being included, the estimation ranged from the minimum of 1,649 million won to the maximum of 1,832 million won. And the estimation of benefits for diabetes mellitus and renal diseases ranged from 89 million won to 92 million won and from 4,567 million won respectively. 4. In comparing costs and benefits, as a results of comparing each highest and lowest estimation, a range of minimum 46,708 million won and maximum 98,071 million won of benefits has been gained.

A Study of the Factors Causing Delayed Reimbursement of Medical Insurance Benefit / 예방의학회지

The objective of this study was to analyze the influence of the hospital and insurer in causing delayed reimbursement of medical insurance benefits. We analyzed major variables at three different sized hospitals to examine the effect of the hospital and insurer using the two-way ANOVA method. The results were as follows: 1. The time interval between claim by hospitals and payment of the benefit was statistically different according to hospital in both admission and outpatient care. 2. The time needed by the insurer for investigating the claimers was statistically different according to hospital and insurer in both admission and outpatient care. There was interaction between the hospital and insurer factors in outpatient care. 3. Although there was interaction between the hospital and insurer factors in admission care, the time interval between claim and payment was statistically different. In outpatient care, the payment interval between claim and payment was also statistically different according to the hospital and insurer.

A Comparison of Medical Care Services by Types of Medical Care Facility: In cases of normal spontaneous vaginal delivery and acute appendicitis / 예방의학회지

To find out the differences in medical practice according to the environment of patient care and managerial situation of the medical care institutions, normal spontaneous vaginal delivery and acute appendicitis were selected, which is suitable for comparison because of their high comparability. A total of 473 cases of normal spontaneous vaginal delivery and 408 cases of acute appendicitis was sampled from the claims to Korea Medical Insurance Cooperations during January to June 1984. Complicated cases were excluded from population and sampling was restricted from 40 to 60 percentile for total charges by the type of medical care facility in order to rule out the influence originating from case mix. Important items representing type and quantity of medical care service were compared by type of facility. Major findings are as follows: 1. University hospital shows the highest in charges per case and decrease in order of general hospital, and clinic. 2. In case of normal spontaneous vaginal delivery, average length of stay shows statistically significant difference by type of facility. 3. Charge amount for each service item affected by practice pattern shows statistically significant difference mostly by type of facility. It is suggested that medical practice pattern is different by type of facility for medical services. 4. Difference in total medical expenditure by type of facility is affected more with charges for materials, consumables and drugs than with fee for service activity. 5. In administering drugs to patients, hospital and clinic show higher injection rate than university and general hospital. 6. Clinical Laboratory tests were common in order of uninalysis, hemoglobin, hematocrit, white blood cell count, urine microscopic examination in cases of normal spontaneous vaginal delivery; white blood cell count, urinalysis, hemoglobin, hematocrit, urine microscopic examination, white blood cell differential count, in cases of acute appendicitis. 7. The result for Laboratory test and Radiologic study shows extreme difference by type of facility. Test rate is lowest in clinic and increase hospital, general hospital, and university hospital in order, both in type and frequency.