Postmarketing Surveillance Study of the Efficacy and Safety of Phentermine in Patients with Obesity / 가정의학회지

BACKGROUND: Obesity is a complex problem that is now considered a chronic metabolic disease. In Korea, phentermine has been widely used for the treatment of obesity in the primary care setting since 2004. However, there have been very few studies on the safety and efficacy of phentermine. To investigate the safety and efficacy of this drug, a postmarketing surveillance study was performed. METHODS: A total of 795 patients with obesity (body mass index > or = 25 kg/m2) were enrolled from 30 primary care centers in Korea from September 2006 to November 2007. Patients were examined to ascertain safety and efficacy at 4-, 8-, and 12-week intervals. The criterion for efficacy was defined as a weight loss > or = 5% of body weight. RESULTS: Of the 795 enrolled patients, 735 (92.5%) were evaluated in safety assessments and 711 (89.4%) was included in efficacy assessments. A total of 266 adverse events (AEs) were reported by 218 patients (30.6%), and no serious AEs were reported. Among 711 patients, 324 patients (45.6%) lost > or = 5% of their body weight. The mean weight loss was 3.8 +/- 4.0 kg. CONCLUSION: AEs are commonly associated with phentermine, even though phentermine is effective for weight loss and relatively well-tolerated.

A Case of Rhabdomyolysis and Acute Renal Failure Associated with Mitochondrial Myopathy / 대한신장학회잡지

Mitochondrial myopathies are diseases caused by defects in metabolic pathway of mitochondria. Mitochondrial myopathy is known as one of the causes of recurrent myoglobinuria, while clinically, rarely causes acute renal failure requiring medical treatments. We report a case of rhabdomyolysis and acute renal failure associated with mitochondrial myopathy. A 58-year-old male was presented with dyspnea and hypotensive shock. The patient had a history of recurrent dark colored urine and cramping leg pain after prolonged fasting. Laboratory findings showed hyperkalemia, azotemia, metabolic acidosis, and elevated AST, ALT, and creatinine kinase. He had no history of trauma or medication. Muscle biopsy showed "ragged red fibers" in modified Gomori staining. On electron microscope, increased number of mitochondria and abnormal mitochondria were seen. He received hemodialysis and his renal function recovered after 1 month.

A case of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) due to endobronchial tubercubsis / 대한내과학회지

Endobronchial tuberculosis is defined as a specific inflammation of the trachea or major bronchi caused by the tubercle bacillus. It is recognized as one of the most common and serious complication of pulmonary tuberculosis. A diagnosis of endobronchial tuberculosis is difficult due to the diversity of radiological patterns. But, it is still relatively common disease in korea. Endobronchial tuberculosis as a cause of the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is quite rare. The mortality rate of ARDS is still high in korea. The detection and early elimination of the causes for ARDS at the initial stage can result in a more favorable prognosis. So, patients with ARDS, especially due to endobronchial tuberculosis or other form of tuberculosis, should be treated with antituberculous drugs as soon as possible. We experienced a young female with complaints of sudden onset dyspnea, mild fever. In this case the clinical features, laboratory data and radiologic findings allowed an initial presentation of ARDS. The ARDS was defined by the American-Europian Consensus Conference 19921-3). The cause of ARDS was revealed endobronchial tuberculosis. We started antituberculosis medication and steroid injection quickly, which resulted in good prognosis. We emphasize the prognosis depends mainly on the early recognition and treatment of endobronchial tuberculosis.

A Case of Dengue Shock Syndrome Imported from Myanmar / 감염과화학요법

Dengue fever/dengue shock syndrome is an acute febrile illness caused by a Flaviviridae virus. Dengue virus infection can cause a wide spectrum of illness, and disease is characterized by sudden onset of high fever, chill, severe headache, skin rash, general malaise and thrombocytopenia with hemoconcentration. Dengue fever is endemic in most tropical areas of world, including the Caribbean, Central and South America, Africa, and Southeast Asia. Tourists to these areas are liable to infection. We experienced a Korean female who returned to Korea from Myanmar in severely ill state. She was confirmed serologically to be inblieted with Dengue shock syndrome. In spite of intensive medical care, she died of Dengue shock syndrome. We emphasize that favorable prognosis depends mainly on the early recognition and treatment of shock.

A Case of Dengue Shock Syndrome Imported from Myanmar / 감염과화학요법

Dengue fever/dengue shock syndrome is an acute febrile illness caused by a Flaviviridae virus. Dengue virus infection can cause a wide spectrum of illness, and disease is characterized by sudden onset of high fever, chill, severe headache, skin rash, general malaise and thrombocytopenia with hemoconcentration. Dengue fever is endemic in most tropical areas of world, including the Caribbean, Central and South America, Africa, and Southeast Asia. Tourists to these areas are liable to infection. We experienced a Korean female who returned to Korea from Myanmar in severely ill state. She was confirmed serologically to be inblieted with Dengue shock syndrome. In spite of intensive medical care, she died of Dengue shock syndrome. We emphasize that favorable prognosis depends mainly on the early recognition and treatment of shock.

A Case of Duodenal Intramural Hematoma Associated with Henoch-Sch nlein Purpura / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Henoch-Sch nlein purpura is a systemic small-vessel IgA dominant vasculitis involoving the capillaries, arterioles, or venules. It is characterized by the classic tetrad of abdominal pain, arthralgia, typical rash, and renal involvement, all of which can occur in any order and at any time over several days to weeks. The central nervous system and lungs may be involved. The gastrointestinal tract is involved in more than 50 percent of patients, manifested most commonly by abdominal pain and gastrointestinal bleeding. And rarely may occur intussusception, bowel nerosis, perforation and intramural hematoma of the duodenum. We report a case of intramural hematoma of the duodenum with Henoch-Sch nlein purpura in 48 year old female patient which was demostrated by upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, abdominal CT scan, hypotonic duodenography and histologic finding of duodenal biopsy. She was treated with supportive care and improved rapidly without any serious gastrointestinal complications.