Analysis of Factors Affecting Length of Hospital Stay in Geriatric Patients Transferred from Long-term Care Hospitals

PURPOSE: The number of geriatric patients transferred from long-term care hospitals to emergency department (ED) is increasing because the number of long-term care hospitals has increased significantly in recent years. Only a few studies showing the characteristics of geriatric patients transferred from long-term care hospitals to ED have been reported. We assessed factors affecting length of hospital stay in geriatric non-trauma patients transferred from long-term care hospital to ED. METHODS: This study was a retrospective review of the medical records of 143 patients who were transferred from long-term care hospital to ED. Admitted patients were classified according to two groups (general ward group and intensive care unit group). Univariate analyses were performed relating initial vital signs and laboratory methods for prediction of the length of hospital stay. Cox proportional hazard analysis was then derived, with all variables in the final model significant at p<0.05. RESULTS: A total of 189 patients were enrolled in the study. Results of univariate analysis for Glasgow Coma Scale, heart rate, oxygen saturation, white blood cell count, segmented granulocyte percent, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and C-reactive protein were significant. In multivariate analysis results for oxygen saturation (p=0.014, hazard ratio=1.065) and segmented granulocyte percent (p=0.025, hazard ratio=0.975) were significant. CONCLUSION: Higher oxygen saturation and lower segmented granulocyte percent are independent factors leading to earlier discharge from the hospital in geriatric non-trauma patients transferred from long-term care hospitals.

Appropriateness of Glasgow-Blatchford Scoring System in Early Prediction of High Risk Group for Old Age Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding Patients Visiting Emergency Department

PURPOSE: Upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) is one of the most common causes of emergency department (ED) presentation which can lead to a fatal condition. Many clinical scoring systems intended to predict the prognosis of UGIB patients were developed and validated, including Glasgow-Blatchford score (GBS) and Rockall score (RS). In particular, GBS has shown its superiority in prediction of mortality, the necessity of endoscopic intervention and admission, compared with other scoring systems, in recent studies. However, GBS does not include the age of the patient as its component and has clearly shown its efficacy only in subjects under age 70. Hence, we aimed to assess whether GBS could also be used in old age UGIB patients as a useful risk stratifying method as in younger age. METHODS: UGIB patients who visited our ED for one year were retrospectively enrolled in the analysis. Medical records of the subjects were reviewed, and their GBS and clinical RS were calculated. Receiver-operating characteristics (ROC) curve of each score in prediction of high risk UGIB was drawn and area under curve (AUC) was calculated. Correlation analysis of each score and hospital length of stay was also performed. To assess the validity of each score for use in old age patients, all analyses were also performed in subgroups of age over 60 years, and under that. RESULTS: ROC curves suggest that GBS has significant detecting power for high risk UGIB in overall subjects, subgroups of age over 60 and under (p=<0.001 for all, AUC=0.919, 0.935, 0.901, respectively). Otherwise, clinical RS only showed significant results in overall group and subgroup of age over 60 with lower AUC. CONCLUSION: GBS may also be used safely as an initial risk stratifying method in old age UGIB patients visiting the ED, as in other age groups.

Degree of Satisfaction with Indirect Medical Oversight Programs to 119 Rescue Services

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the degree of satisfaction with indirect medical oversight programs and its determinants. METHODS: Gumi 119 rescuers participated in indirect medical oversight programs, including Emergency Medical Services (EMS) record review, weekly visiting education, and monthly EMS conference from March 2012 to February 2013. Data were collected using a mail survey with a self-administered questionnaire. The degree of satisfaction with the programs was categorized according to two groups (1=satisfied, 2=unsatisfied). Then the Mann-Whitney U test and Fisher's exact test were performed in order to find statistically significant factors influencing satisfaction. RESULTS: Cronbach alpha of questionnaires was 0.869. Among the 59 questionnaires, 55(93.2%) were returned. No differences in sex, age, career, EMS record review, monthly conference, linkage with direct medical direction, and improvement of confidence in ER medical team were observed between the two groups. Qualification, weekly visiting program, and improvement in reliability to hospital showed statistical significance (p=0.017, 0.040 and 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION: The level of qualification of 119 rescuers and weekly visiting education at the fire department by doctors has had a significant influence on satisfaction with indirect medical oversight.

Degree of Satisfaction with Indirect Medical Oversight Programs to 119 Rescue Services

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the degree of satisfaction with indirect medical oversight programs and its determinants. METHODS: Gumi 119 rescuers participated in indirect medical oversight programs, including Emergency Medical Services (EMS) record review, weekly visiting education, and monthly EMS conference from March 2012 to February 2013. Data were collected using a mail survey with a self-administered questionnaire. The degree of satisfaction with the programs was categorized according to two groups (1=satisfied, 2=unsatisfied). Then the Mann-Whitney U test and Fisher's exact test were performed in order to find statistically significant factors influencing satisfaction. RESULTS: Cronbach alpha of questionnaires was 0.869. Among the 59 questionnaires, 55(93.2%) were returned. No differences in sex, age, career, EMS record review, monthly conference, linkage with direct medical direction, and improvement of confidence in ER medical team were observed between the two groups. Qualification, weekly visiting program, and improvement in reliability to hospital showed statistical significance (p=0.017, 0.040 and 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION: The level of qualification of 119 rescuers and weekly visiting education at the fire department by doctors has had a significant influence on satisfaction with indirect medical oversight.

Predictors for the Failure of Expectant Management for the Spontaneous Passage of Ureteral Calculi

PURPOSE: Ureteral calculi are commonly encountered in the emergency department. Ureteral calculi influence the quality of life of patients, causing pain and economic burden. The optimal management of ureteral calculi remains a challenge for practicing physicians; therefore, this study was designed to determine which factors are related to the failure of their spontaneous passage. METHODS: This study was a retrospective review of the medical records of one hundred ninety-five patients who visited the emergency department complaining of renal colic from February 2012 to December 2012. Bivariate analyses were conducted relating physical, laboratory, and radiological methods to predict the failure of spontaneous passage. A multivariate logistic regression model was then derived, with all variables in the final model significant at p<0.05. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-eight stones were spontaneously expelled and sixty-seven were not. The mean stone size was significantly larger in the non-passage group than the passage group (p<0.001). When the stones were located in the upper ureter, or on the right side, the spontaneous passage rate was lower (p<0.001, p=0.035). Increased neutrophils and positive tests for urinary protein and bilirubin were also associated with the decreased likelihood of spontaneous passage (p=0.046, p=0.029, and p=0.048, respectively). In addition, the longer duration of symptoms and a previous history of ureteral calculi were related to a lower chance of spontaneous passage (p=0.005, p=0.019). CONCLUSION: Prognostic factors of failure, after the initial expectant management of ureteral calculi, included: calculi size, location (e.g., side), the duration of symptoms, the previous history, neutrophil levels, urinary bilirubin levels, and urinary protein levels. Therefore, emergency physicians need to cautiously decide between watchful waiting and interventions in these patients.

Effectiveness of Indirect Medical Oversight on the Quality of Prehospital Emergency Care by Emergency Medical Technicians

PURPOSE: This study examined the effect of indirect medical oversight on the quality of prehospital emergency care by emergency medical technicians. METHODS: Indirect medical oversight was applied for a year and 119 rescue run sheets were retrospectively analyzed before and after the program to study the effect of an indirect medical oversight program in one city. The general characteristics of patients who visited hospitals before and after the program were analyzed, along with patient evaluation records, personal data, outbreak patterns, transfer information, direct medical oversight, and emergency medical services (EMS) mobilization reports. In addition, by comparing medical records and the 119 rescue run sheets, changes in the accuracy of 119 rescue run reports, the adequacy of patient classification, and the adequacy of medical direction were analyzed. After gathering these data, statistical analysis was performed and the level of significance was defined as p<0.05. RESULTS: After executing the indirect medical oversight, there was significant improvement in the accuracy of 119 rescue run sheets (p<0.001) and in the consistency of severity classification in 119 rescue run sheets compared with medical records (p=0.016). The adequacy of direct medical oversight request also showed improvement after the indirect medical oversight took effect (p<0.001). However, there was no statistical significance in prehospital procedures. CONCLUSION: Indirect medical oversight significantly improved the quality of emergency medical service by emergency medical technicians. However, the further application and improvement of indirect medical oversight programs are required for the development of prehospital emergency medical care.

Analysis of the Impact on Community Health after Accidental Leak of Hydrofluoric Acid

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to verify the influence of a massive hydrofluoric acid spill on community health through patients who claimed to have been exposed. METHODS: We analyzed 2459 patients who visited our emergency department with the claim of exposure to hydrofluoric acid, and retrospective analyses were performed. We analyzed changes in numbers of visitors per day from the day of the accidental hydrofluoric acid spill, symptoms presented by the 1924 patients, and general characteristics. Comparisons of symptoms and hematologic characteristics were made between the initially set evacuation zone(1.3 km radius parameters from the spill) and the outer zone. RESULTS: A total of 2,459 patients who claimed exposure visited our ED from 27 September 2012 to 23 October 2012, and there was a significant increase in the number of visiting patients from day 8 of the hydrofluoric acid spill. The most common complaints were a sore throat, 729(37.9%) and no specific symptom with health concern, 547(28.4%). Statistically significant findings were pulmonary symptoms (p=0.001), nasal symptoms (p=0.001), diarrhea (p=0.023), and skin symptoms (p=0.007). In hematologic study, a statistically significant difference was observed in white blood cell count (p=0.018), creatine phosphokinase (p<0.001), erythrocyte sediment rate (p=0.013), and phosphorus (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: A significant increase in the number of patients was observed one week after the accidental spill of hydrofluoric acid. The most frequent symptoms were sore throat, headache, cough, and sputum. Statistically significant increase in creatine phosphokinase level and decrease in phosphorus level were noted in patients within the evacuation zone.

Evaluation of reverse torque value of abutment screws on CAD/CAM custom-made implant abutments / 대한치과보철학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the screw joint stability between the CADCAM custom-made implant abutment and the prefabricated implant abutment by measuring the reverse torque value after cyclic loading. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve screw type implants (Implantium, Dentium Co., Seoul, Korea) were embedded in aluminum cylinder with acrylic resin. The implant specimens were equally divided into 3 groups, and connected to the prefabricated titanium abutments (Implantium, Dentium Co., Seoul, Korea), CADCAM custom-made titanium abutments (Myplant, Raphabio Co., Seoul, Korea) and CADCAM custom-made zirconia abutments (Zirconia Myplant, Raphabio Co., Seoul, Korea). The CAD-CAM milled titanium crown (Raphabio Co., Seoul, Korea) was cemented on each implant abutment by resin cement. Before cyclic loading, each abutment screw was tightened to 30 Ncm and the reverse torque value was measured about 30 minutes later. After the crown specimen was subjected to the sinusoidal cyclic loading (30 to 120 N, 500,000 cycles, 2 Hz), postloading reverse torque value was measured and the reverse torque loss ratio was calculated. Kruskal-Wallis test was used for statistical analysis of the reverse torque loss ratio. RESULTS: The CADCAM custom-made titanium abutments presented higher values in reverse torque loss ratio without statistically significant differences than the prefabricated titanium abutments (P>.05). Reverse torque loss ratio of the custom-made zirconia abutments was significantly higher compared to that of the prefabricated titanium abutments (P=.014). CONCLUSION: Within the limitation of the present in-vitro study, it was concluded that there was no significant difference in screw joint stability between the CADCAM custom-made titanium abutments and the prefabricated titanium abutments. On the other hand, the CADCAM custom-made zirconia abutments showed lower screw joint stability than prefabricated titanium abutments.

Multivariate Analysis of Predictive Factors for the Severity in Stable Patients with Severe Injury Mechanism

PURPOSE: For determining the prognosis of critically injured patients, transporting patients to medical facilities capable of providing proper assessment and management, running rapid assessment and making rapid decisions, and providing aggressive resuscitation is vital. Considering the high mortality and morbidity rates in critically injured patients, various studies have been conducted in efforts to reduce those rates. However, studies related to diagnostic factors for predicting severity in critically injured patients are still lacking. Furthermore, patients showing stable vital signs and alert mental status, who are injured via a severe trauma mechanism, may be at a risk of not receiving rapid assessment and management. Thus, this study investigates diagnostic factors, including physical examination and laboratory results, that may help predict severity in trauma patients injured via a severe trauma mechanism, but showing stable vital signs. METHODS: From March 2010 to December 2011, all trauma patients who fit into a diagnostic category that activated a major trauma team in CHA Bundang Medical Center were analyzed retrospectively. The retrospective analysis was based on prospective medical records completed at the time of arrival in the emergency department and on sequential laboratory test results. PASW statistics 18(SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) was used for the statistical analysis. Patients with relatively stable vital signs and alert mental status were selected based on a revised trauma score of more than 7 points. The final diagnosis of major trauma was made based on an injury severity score of greater than 16 points. Diagnostic variables include systolic blood pressure and respiratory rate, glasgow coma scale, initial result from focused abdominal sonography for trauma, and laboratory results from blood tests and urine analyses. To confirm the true significance of the measured values, we applied the Kolmogorov-Smirnov one sample test and the Shapiro-Wilk test. When significance was confirmed, the Student's t-test was used for comparison; when significance was not confirmed, the Mann-Whitney u-test was used. The results of focused abdominal sonography for trauma (FAST) and factors of urine analysis were analyzed using the Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test. Variables with statistical significance were selected as prognostics factors, and they were analyzed using a multivariate logistics regression model. RESULTS: A total of 269 patients activated the major trauma team. Excluding 91 patients who scored a revised trauma score of less than 7 points, 178 patients were subdivided by injury severity score to determine the final major trauma patients. Twenty-one(21) patients from 106 major trauma patients and 9 patients from 72 minor trauma patients were also excluded due to missing medical records or untested blood and urine analysis. The investigated variables with p-values less than 0.05 include the glasgow coma scale, respiratory rate, white blood cell count (WBC), serum AST and ALT, serum creatinine, blood in spot urine, and protein in spot urine. These variables could, thus, be prognostic factors in major trauma patients. A multivariate logistics regression analysis on those 8 variables showed the respiratory rate (p=0.034), WBC (p=0.005) and blood in spot urine (p=0.041) to be independent prognostic factors for predicting the clinical course of major trauma patients. CONCLUSION: In trauma patients injured via a severe trauma mechanism, but showing stable vital signs and alert mental status, the respiratory rate, WBC count and blood in the urine can be used as predictable factors for severity. Using those laboratory results, rapid assessment of major trauma patients may shorten the time to diagnosis and the time for management.

Analysis of Factors Affecting Length of Hospital Stay in Severe Trauma Patients

PURPOSE: Severe trauma is indicative of poor patient prognosis and higher mortality rates. Moreover, severe trauma may be related with higher hospital costs. Our recent study showed that severe trauma costs significantly more per patient than general trauma. Length of hospital stay was shown to be an independent factor contributing to higher cost in the study. We assessed factors affecting length of hospital stay in severe trauma patients. METHODS: Data from the severe trauma registry was collected prospectively and retrospectively reviewed. Time of emergency department (ED) registration, mechanism of injury, initial vital signs, revised trauma score (RTS), injury severity scale (ISS), specialty consultation time, time to admission decision, ED length of stay, and overall hospital length of stay (LOS) were evaluated. All factors listed above were put into a univariate, Cox proportional hazard analysis. LOS and other factors resulting in p-values under 0.20 were included in the multivariate analysis. RESULTS: A total of 249 patients were enrolled to the study. There were significant univariate analysis results for RTS and ISS (p=0.001, 0.006, respectively). The only significant multivariate analysis result was for RTS (p=0.025, hazard ratio=1.167). CONCLUSION: Higher RTS score is an independent factor leading to earlier discharge from the hospital in severe trauma patients.

Prognostic Factor, for Major Trauma Patients in the Emergency Medical Service System

PURPOSE: A few studies have assessed the factors affecting the prognoses for major trauma patients and those improving the circumstances when dealing with the trauma system. In that light, we analyzed factors, such as pre-hospital factors, the time to admission, the length of stay in the emergency department (ED) and emergency operation, influencing the outcomes for trauma patients. METHODS: The patients who visited our emergency department from April 1, 2009, to February 29, 2011, due to major trauma were enrolled in the study. The inclusion criterion was a revised trauma score (RTS) or = 16. We used reviews of medical records, to analyze each step of emergency medical care with respect to patients' sex, age, visit time and visit date. Continuous variables were described as a median with an interquartile range, and we compared the variables between the survival and the mortality groups by using the Mann-Whitney U test. Fisher's exact test was used for nominal variables. Using the variables that showed statistical significance in univariate comparisons, we performed a logistic regression analysis, and we tested the model's adequacy by the using the Hosmer-Lemeshow method. RESULTS: A total of 261 patients with major trauma satisfied either the RTS score criterion or the ISS score criterion. Excluding 12 patients with missing data, 249 patients were included in this study. The overall mortality rate was 16.9%. Time to ED arrival, time to admission, time of ED stay, RTS, ISS, and visit date being a holiday showed statistically significant differences between the survival and the mortality groups in the univariate analysis. RTS, ISS, length of ED stay, and visit date being a holiday showed statistical significance in the multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: The mortality rate did not show a significant relationship with the time to ED arrival, use of 119, on time to admission. Rather, it elicited a quite significant correlation with the trauma scoring system (RTS and ISS), the time of ED stay, and the visit date being a holiday.

Multivariate Analysis of Physical and Laboratory Factors for Acute Abdomen Detection in Young Women Visiting the Emergency Department due to Non-Traumatic Abdominal Pain

PURPOSE: One of the most challenging groups of patients to diagnose that visit an emergency department (ED) is the female with acute abdominal pain. The causes of acute abdominal pain range from minor, self-limiting conditions to life-threatening disorders. Differential diagnosis for these patients is extensive and frequently requires multiple examinations and tests. This study analyzed the effectiveness of surgical abdomen detection using various physical examination and clinical laboratory methods, for young women reporting non-traumatic abdominal pain. METHODS: This study reviewed computed tomography (CT) reports for 232 women, aged 21~35 years old, who visited our ED for nontraumatic abdominal pain from July 2009 to June 2010. Bivariate analyses relating physical and laboratory methods used to detect surgical abdomen were conducted. A multivariate logistic regression model was then derived, with all variables in the final model significant at p<0.05. RESULTS: The number of patients who required surgical intervention was 88, while the number who did not require surgery was 144. Significant predictive methods for identifying surgical abdomen were maximal tenderness site (p=0.019), rebound tenderness (p=0.037), white blood cell count (p=0.012) and urine blood (p=0.037). The bootstrap result was identical in 1000 samples with a 95% confidence interval. CONCLUSION: Maximal tenderness site, rebound tenderness, and results indicating leukocytosis and hematuria were found to be independently valid factors for detection of surgical abdomen in young women evaluated in our ED due for nontraumatic abdominal pain.

Clinical features of gas-forming liver abscesses: comparison between diabetic and nondiabetic patients / 대한간학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) are more likely to have a pyogenic liver abscess with gas formation, which is associated with higher morbidity and mortality. The morbidity and mortality in pyogenic liver abscess are also higher in DM patients than in non-DM patients. This study evaluated the morbidity, mortality, and clinical features in patients with gas-forming liver abscesses associated with DM. METHODS: Among 379 cases of pyogenic liver abscess excluding malignancy from January 2001 through December 2009, 25 patients treated for pyogenic-gas-forming liver abscesses were reviewed retrospectively. We compared the morbidity, mortality, and clinical findings in patients with pyogenic-gas-forming liver abscesses between DM and non-DM patients. RESULTS: Gas formation was present in 25 (6.6%) of 379 cases with pyogenic liver abscess. DM was combined with gas-forming liver abscesses in 19 cases (76%). The most common organism responsible for the gas formation was Klebsiella pneumoniae (82%). Complications were present in 23 cases (92%) of gas-forming liver abscesses, with pulmonary complications (especially pleural effusion) being the most common (n=14, 61%). Four patients (16%) died of sepsis. CONCLUSIONS: Gas-forming liver abscesses are not uncommon in cases of pyogenic liver abscesses and are associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. The clinical manifestations and complications do not differ significantly between DM and non-DM patients.

A Case of Leiomyosarcoma of the Sigmoid Colon Presenting as Intussusception / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Leiomyosarcomas are malignant tumors of smooth muscle. Leiomyosarcomas of the large intestine are rare, with an incidence of less than 0.1% of all colorectal malignancies. A 70-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital with lower abdominal pain and hematochezia. The abdominal CT scan revealed a solid mass in the sigmoid colon and intussusception with a lead point. Surgical excision of the sigmoid colon mass was performed. The patient was diagnosed with a leiomyosarcoma originating from the sigmoid colon. Few cases of primary sigmoid colon leiomyosarcoma presenting as an intussusception have been reported in the medical literature. We report here on a case of complete surgical resection for a leiomyosarcoma of the sigmoid colon and this presented as intussusception.

Primary Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Gallbladder Forming a Cholecystogastric Fistula / 대한소화기내시경학회지

The most common type of gallbladder cancer is adenocarcinoma. Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the gallbladder is a rare and aggressive disease. It is responsible for up to 1.7% of the malignant neoplasms of the gallbladder. It characteristically presents with invasive growth, a low tendency towards lymph node metastasis and a high incidence of local infiltration and hepatic metastasis, presenting a worse prognosis than adenocarcinoma of the gallbladder. Cases of gallbladder cancer forming a fistula to the stomach are also rare. We experienced a case of primary squamous cell carcinoma of the gallbladder which formed a fistula to the stomach.

A case of recurrent aggressive angiomyxoma of the vulva in the adolescence / 부인종양

Aggressive angiomyxoma is a rare, locally infiltrative soft tissue tumor that usually arises in the vulvoperitoneal region of young female. Frequent relapses are common. Clinicians should consider the diagnosis of aggressive angiomyxoma when a patient presents with an atypical vulvoperineal mass, because an incorrect diagnosis may lead to repeated surgical procedures. Treatment is wide surgical excision. Medical management with a GnRH agonist and radiation therapy with total dose of 60 Gy may be helpful adjuvant treatment in recurrent aggressive angiomyxoma. We experienced a case of recurrent aggressive angiomyxoma and report it with a brief review of literatures.

The clinical course of idiopathic membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis type 1 / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND: The manifestation of Membranoproliperative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) is variable from asymptomatic hematuria, nephrotic syndrome to advanced chronic kidney disease. The etiology, pathogenesis, and treatment of MPGN are unclear. The incidence of idiopathic MPGN is also rare in Korea, and the clinical course was rarely studied. So we investigated clinical course of idiopathic MPGN type 1. METHODS: From March 1990 to November 2004, renal biopsy was done in about 1500 patients in Dong-A universty hospital. Among them, 16 patients were diagnosed as idiopathic MPGN. Fourteen patients were observed over 6 months. We analyzed clinical data of these patients retrospectively. RESULTS: Male to female ratio of total 16 patients is 2.2:1. Mean age of patients was 37.6 years (14-76 years) at the time of diagnosis. Thirteen cases (81%) had nephrotic range proteinuria, 8 cases (50%) had hypertention, 12 cases (75%) had edema, and 4 cases (25%) had decreased renal fuction (serum creatinine>1.2 mg/dL) at the time of diagnosis. Average observation time was 55.7+/-37.4 (6-122)months. Six cases ended up with progressive renal failure. Three cases achieved complete remission. Renal survival time for 50% of cases was 92 months. In our study, edema and decreased renal fucntion at the time of diagnosis were related with later development of progressive renal failure (p<0.05). Of the total 14 cases, 4 cases ware treated conservatively, 6 cases were treated with anti-platelet agents, and 4 cases were treated with anti-platelet agents and prednisone. In conservative treatment group, 1 case ended up with progressive renal failure and 1 case achieved complete remission. In anti-platelet agents treatment goup, 4 cases ended up progressive renal failure. In combined anti-platelet agents and prednisone treatment group, 1 case ended up progressive renal failure and 2 cases achieved complete remission. However, the effect of each treatment is inconclusive because the number of the patients are too small. CONCLUSIONS: We suspect that deceased renal function and edema at the time of diagnosis may be risk factor predicting progressive renal failure in patients with idiopathic MPGN type 1.

A Case of Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia after Fludarabine Treatment in Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia / 대한혈액학회지

Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia, which is characterized by elevation of serum monoclonal IgM paraprotein, has recently been responsible for the treatment of purine analogues. Fludarabine, one of purine analogues, has been associated with autoimmune hemolytic anemia in patient with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. However, autoimmune hemolytic anemia after fludarabine treatment for Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia has not been reported. We experienced a case of autoimmune hemolytic anemia after fludarabine treatment for Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia. In this case, hemolytic anemia with positive direct Coombs' test occurred at 20 months after the first administration of fludarabine, relapsed at 5 days after re-administration. This anemia responded to steroid therapy. Autoimmune hemolytic anemia associated with fludarabine therapy can be severe and fatal, especially if a patient is re-treated with this drug after a previous episode of hemolytic anemia.

Group G Streptococcal Endocarditis Associated with Bilateral Endogenous Endophthalmitis

The group G streptococcal endocarditis is a rare form of infective endocarditis when present, and it is associated with serious neurological complications. Also, endogenous endophthalmitis due to group G streptococcal endocarditis has rarely been reported, and usually leads to total loss of vision. We report a case of group G streptococcal endocarditis which presented clinically as endophthalmitis unrelated to trauma or surgery in a 85-year-old diabetic man.

Group G Streptococcal Endocarditis Associated with Bilateral Endogenous Endophthalmitis

The group G streptococcal endocarditis is a rare form of infective endocarditis when present, and it is associated with serious neurological complications. Also, endogenous endophthalmitis due to group G streptococcal endocarditis has rarely been reported, and usually leads to total loss of vision. We report a case of group G streptococcal endocarditis which presented clinically as endophthalmitis unrelated to trauma or surgery in a 85-year-old diabetic man.