Relationship between Serum Uric Acid and Metabolic Syndrome

BACKGROUND: Although many studies have focused on the association of hyperuricemia with components of metabolic syndrome, there are only few studies of independent relation between uric acid and metabolic syndrome itself. In this study, we evaluated healthy subjects and assessed the relationship of serum uric acid with metabolic syndrome. METHODS: Between January and February of 2005, we evaluated 164 healthy patients who visited a health evaluation center. Patients were evaluated for metabolic syndrome and risk factors were assessed using a questionaire, blood test and physical examination. RESULTS: Metabolic risk factors significantly increased as uric acid level markedly increased (P<0.05). Even after limiting the variables such as age, sex, smoking, exercise, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and LogCRP, the group with metabolic syndrome had markedly increased uric acid levels than those without metabolic syndrome [Odds ratio 1.494 (95% CI, 1.072~2.084)]. CONCLUSION: The number of components of metabolic syndrome increased according to serum uric acid level. Uric acid level was significantly higher in metabolic syndrome than normal. Even after considering health behavior variables such as smoking, alcohol status, and exercise, they showed an independent relationship. Further massive prospective studies on whether collecting serum uric acid level can be used as a screening test or predictor of mortality for early metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease will be needed.

The Treatment Effect of the Complex Lymphatic Therapy for Lymphedema

BACKGROUND: Lymphedema is a common condition occurring in over 50% of breast and cervix cancer patients. The pneumatic pump as used in the past is still utilized for the treatment. A complex lymphatic therapy was developed by Dr. Michael Foeldi of Germany in the 1980s, and was widely practiced with good effects. This study was to observe the practical effectiveness in patients receiving such treatment. METHODS: Twenty two patients diagnosed with lymphedema and treated in department of Family Medicine of National Health Insurance Corporation Ilsan Hospital from August 1, 2000 to September 30, 2001. They were observed with respect to the frequency of demographic characteristics, and were compared to assess the improvement of clinical symptoms before and after complex lymphatic therapy by independent samples T-test and the degree of edema reduction before and after complex lymphatic therapy by paired samples T-test (P-value<0.05). RESULTS: Among the 22 subjects 1 was a male and 21 were females and their mean age was 49.9 9.3. Cervix and breast cancer patients comprised 86.4% among the total. Twenty one cancer patients developed lymphedema after the operation or radiotherapy. Most were in stage 2 or 3 of edema with 81.8%. Relative to the edema onset time, there were 7 (33.3%) of less than 1 year, 5 (23.8%) from 1 to 3 years and 9 (42.9%) over 3 years. They came to see a lymphedema specialist in 2.9 3.9 years after edema progressed. The degree of lymphedema with 968.4 545.3 ml before the treatment was improved to 337.3 326.8 ml after the treatment which showed a statistically remarkable 65.0 33.2% effectiveness. CONCLUSION: Complex lymphatic therapy for the patients of lymphedema presented with a 65% edema reduction in our study. Thus, the therapy for such patients is considered the most effective method up to present.