Nutrient Intake and Bone Mineral Density by Nutritional Status in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

BACKGROUND: Malnutrition among inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) may arise from factors including inadequate dietary intake, malabsorption, and progression of disease. IBD has been reported an increased prevalence of low bone mass. The aims of the present study were to evaluate the nutritional status and to investigate the correlation between bone mineral density (BMD) and nutrient factors in patients with IBD. METHODS: A total of 41 subjects were classified into normal group (n=21) and malnourished group (n=20) by the subjective global assessment result. We surveyed the dietary habit, nutrient intake, and BMD. RESULTS: Subjects' average age was 36.7 years old, and included 26 ulcerative colitis and 15 Crohn's disease. The serum C-reactive protein (CRP) was significantly higher and serum calcium was significantly lower in the malnourished group. Lower bone density subjects were more in the malnourished group but no significant difference. Intake of energy, protein, carbohydrate, fiber, iron, sodium, potassium, zinc, vitamin B6, vitamin C and folate were significantly lower in the malnourished group. The BMD of malnourished group showed correlation with triceps skin fold thickness (TSF), CRP, dietary calcium, phosphorous, iron, animal iron, zinc and vitamin. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggested that adequate intake of nutrients is important to prevent bone loss and systemic education programs are need for IBD patients.

The Early Onset of Disease May Be a Risk Factor for Decreased Bone Mineral Density in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The pathogenesis of bone loss in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is complex, multifactorial, and only partly understood. We aimed to examine the extent and risk factors of bone mass reduction and to analyze the impact of early onset of a disease before attaining peak bone mass in IBD patients. METHODS: We compared the risk factors for osteoporosis and BMD at the lumbar spine and the hip bone in IBD patients. RESULTS: A total of 44 patients with IBD were enrolled. Twenty-one and 23 patients were diagnosed as IBD before and after the age of 30 and designated as group A and group B, respectively. Group A had significant bone mass reduction at the lumbar spine than group B (BMD, 1.01+/-0.10 vs. 1.14+/-0.17, p<0.01; T-score, -1.22+/-0.84 vs. -0.08+/-1.39, p<0.01; Z-score, -1.11+/-0.81 vs. -0.03+/-1.32, p<0.01, respectively). Multivariate analysis showed that patients diagnosed as IBD before the age of 30 had possible risk factor of bone mass reduction (hazard ratio, 3.96; p=0.06). CONCLUSIONS: Bone mass reduction was more severe in patients who were diagnosed with IBD before the age of 30 than in those diagnosed after the age of 30.

Hyperplastic Polyposis Syndrome Identified with a BRAF Mutation

Hyperplastic polyposis syndrome (HPS) is a rare condition characterized by the presence of numerous hyperplastic polyps (HPs) in the colon and rectum. Patients with HPS have an increased risk of colorectal cancer. This link is associated with gene mutations, especially B type Raf kinase (BRAF). However, a case of HPS associated with gene mutations has seldom been reported in Korea. Here, we describe a case of HPS in which a BRAF mutation was present in a 34-year-old woman. She had more than 110 HPs in the stomach and colorectum, which we removed. All of the polyps were diagnosed histologically as HPs, and no adenomatous or malignant changes were noted. We performed a BRAF and K-ras mutation analysis as well as a microsatellite analysis on the resected colon polyps. BRAF mutations were found in the resected colon polyps, but there was no evidence of K-RAS mutation or microsatellite instability.

A Hypereosinophilic Syndrome Presenting as Eosinophilic Colitis

Hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) has three defining features: marked hypereosinophilia for at least 6 months, no confirmed etiology for the eosinophilia, and eosinophilia-related symptoms or organ dysfunction. However, a shorter period of hypereosinophilia with symptoms requiring eosinophil-lowering therapy is also acceptable. We report a case of HES presenting as eosinophilic colitis. Although hypereosinophilia was present for 3 months, this patient needed to be treated with eosionphil-lowering therapy for severe hematochezia. After systemic corticosteroid therapy, symptoms caused by organ involvement were dramatically improved.

Symptomatic Improvement of Diffuse Esophageal Spasm after Botulinum Toxin Injection / 대한소화기학회지

Diffuse esophageal spasm, an uncommon esophageal motility disorder, has recently been defined using high-resolution manometry. Patients with distal esophageal spasm usually complain of chest pain or dysphagia. The etiology and pathophysiology of this disorder are poorly known, and treatment options are limited. However, some options to improve symptoms are available, including endoscopic injection of botulinum toxin. Nevertheless, few reports have described the effects of endoscopic injection of botulinum toxin in patients with symptomatic diffuse esophageal spasm with clear endoscopic and high-resolution manometry images. Here, we report a case of diffuse esophageal spasm diagnosed with high-resolution manometry and treated by endoscopic injection of botulinum toxin with good results at the 7-month follow-up.

Helicobacter pylori Eradication Suppresses Metachronous Gastric Cancer and Cyclooxygenase-2 Expression after Endoscopic Resection of Early Gastric Cancer

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The impact of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication after endoscopic resection (ER) of early gastric cancer (EGC) has not been fully evaluated. We tried to find out the effect of H. pylori eradication therapy on the development of metachronous gastric cancers and changes in Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression following attempts to eradicate H. pylori after ER of EGC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We eradicated H. pylori in the patients with EGC after ER. Biopsy samples were taken according to the follow-up schedules for surveillance after ER. RESULTS: Fifty five patients were enrolled and finished the follow up schedules. Of the 55, 28 were successfully treated H. pylori infection, and the other 27 were failed eradication of H. pylori. The mean follow-up period was 60.8 months. Five in the H. pylori ongoing infection group developed metachronous gastric cancer, whereas no new gastric cancers were found in the 28 eradication group (P=0.023). COX-2 expression in the eradication group was significantly decreased (1.4+/-0.2, n=28), compared to that in H. pylori ongoing infection group (3.0+/-0.4, n=27, P=0.0001) after the follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The eradication of H. pylori seems to have a preventative effect on the development of metachronous adenocarcinomas and a suppressive effect on COX-2 expression in the patients after ER for EGC.

A Case of Successful Hemoperfusion in the Treatment of Acute Severe Clozapine Intoxication / 대한신장학회지

Clozapine, a psychotropic drug commonly used in the treatment of schizophrenia or schizophrenic affective disorders may show side effects such as agranulocytosis, cardiomyositis, cognitive and motor depression in therapeutic doses and central nervous system depression, respiratory depression, arrhythmia, seizures, and even death in case of severe intoxication, warranting an aggressive treatment. We hereby report a case of clozapine overdose patient who ingested a potentially fatal dose of 3 grams and showed stuporous mental state, who was treated successfully by hemoperfusion without any sequelae.

The Analysis of Health Related Behavior after Using Health Information on the Internet / 예방의학회지

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the health information such as the general health information, the health product information, and the hospital information, and we wanted to identify the association between internet health information and the health related behavior by analyzing the process after people search the Internet. METHODS: A telephone survey with structured questionnaire was performed by trained surveyors. The respondents were sampled proportionate to the Korean demographic distribution with considering the city size and the populations' ages and gender. The survey was conducted from October 2006 to November 2006. RESULTS: Out of 3,758 successfully connected persons of age 20 or more, 871(23.2%) respondents had used Internet health information during the last year. The purposes of searching the Internet for health was, 1) to get general health information (717 cases, 81.0%), 2) shopping for health product (109 cases, 12.3%) and 3) seeking information about hospital selection (59 cases, 6.7%). Our research showed that the process after searching the Internet for health information depends on the purpose of the search. 68.8% of the searchers for general health information, 67% of the searchers for health product shopping and 64.4% of the searchers seeking information to guide hospital selection were satisfied with their Internet search. However one third of the respondents reported not being satisfied with the result of the search. CONCLUSIONS: Unsatisfied consumers with internet health information tended to ask lay referrals from others or they gave up seeking health information. The health information system should be improved to increase the accessibility and to provide reliable and effective information. Also, a more user-centric community is needed in order to strengthen the effective role of lay referrals among the internet users.