Rectus Sheath Hematoma Complicated by Rectus Abdominus Myonecrosis in a Patient with Rheumatoid Arthritis / 대한류마티스학회지

Rectus sheath hematoma is an uncommon cause of acute abdomen, caused by a tear in deep epigastric vessels or its branches. It occurs spontaneously, after trauma or surgery. Rectus abdominus myonecrosis is a life threatening complication of rectus sheath hematoma. We report a case with fatal rectus sheath hematoma complicated by rectus abdominus myonecrosis caused by ischial fracture in a chronic active rheumatoid arthritis patient.

Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Colon Cancer Screening by Colonosopic Examination in Korea / 대한소화기내시경학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The mortality of colon cancer is reduced by a proper screening test. Recently, colonoscopic screening was reported more cost-effective than stool occult blood test or sigmoidoscopy in America. In this study, we performed cost-effectiveness analysis of colonoscopy as a colon cancer screening test in Korea by using Markov model. METHODS: A hypothetical population of 50 years of age divided into 2 groups. Markov model was applied to those with colonoscopic screening and consecutive polypectomy or without screening. The effect of screening test to the general health was expressed as quality-adjusted life years (QALYs). The variables during the screening test and treatment were regarded carefully by sensitivity analysis. RESULTS: The mean cost estimates for colonoscopic exam was 75,164 won and colon cancer treatment was 10,867,177 won. From the analysis using Markov model, the mean cost required for the screening group was 166,717 won and 76,938 won for non-screening group. The QALY in screening group was 18.49. The incremental cost-effectiveness was 1,097,992 won/QALY. CONCULSIONS: Regular colonoscopic exam requires higher medical cost than non-screening group, with its property of reducing mortality from colorectal cancer, however, colonoscopy is a cost-effective means of colorectal cancer screening.

Pharmaco economics / 대한내과학회지

No abstract availalbe.

Korean Cost-Effectiveness of Low Dose Corticosteroids versus Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs in the Long-Term Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis / 대한류마티스학회지

OBJECTIVE: Low dose corticosteroids (steroid) (

Cost-effectiveness analysis of proton pump inhibitors and ranitidine in the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare the cost-effectiveness of proton pump inhibitors (PPI) and ranitidine in gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in Korea. METHODS: We assessed the cost-effectiveness two ways. First, mean costs for the complete healing of one patient with GERD within one year were calculated. Second, Markov (state-transition) models were used to simulate a cohort of patients with GERD, taking one of following strategies for 5 years : 1) PPI (rabeprazole 10 mg, omeprazole 20 mg, or lansoprazole 30 mg), 2) ranitidine 300 mg per day. Data on healing rate, relapse rate, surgical complication rate, success rate of surgery were taken from the literature. Direct medical costs of each strategy and surgical complications were calculated. Health effects were expressed as quality-adjusted life years (QALYs). Sensitivity analyses using various ranges of probability of healing rates and costs were performed. Costs and health outcomes were discounted at a rate of 3 % per year. RESULTS: The mean costs for complete healing of one case within one year was 475,836 in PPI and 1,064,704 in ranitidine, respectively. In the base case analysis using Markov model, the treatment costs of PPI were 155,238 and 214,781 in ranitidine and the effects were 4.81 QALYs and 4.26 QALYs, respectively; PPI strategy was more effective and less costly than ranitidine strategy. The sensitivity analyses using varying ranges of probability, cost, discount rate and utility were robust. CONCLUSION: PPI was superior to ranitidine in terms of cost-effectiveness in the treatment of GERD.

Korean cost-effectiveness analysis of NSAIDs, NSAIDs with co-treatments to prevent gastrointestinal toxicity, and COX-2 specific inhibitors in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used in nearly every patient with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) but their use can be associated with gastrointestinal (GI) side effects, which may be prevented with prophylactic prescription of misoprostol and omeprazole. Recently marketed COX-2 specific inhibitor (COX-2) affords protection against gastropathy. This study was performed to assess Korean cost-effectiveness of NSAIDs, NSAIDs with co-treatments to prevent GI toxicity, and COX-2 in the treatment of RA, and compare it with American cost-effectiveness analysis. METHODS: Markov (state-transition) models were used to simulate a cohort of RA patients with approximately 2.5:1 female to male ratio and 50 years, taking disease modifying antirheumatic drugs, low dose steroid (prednisone < or =10 mg/day) and one of the following strategies: 1) NSAIDs without prophylaxis, 2) NSAIDs with misoprostol, 3) NSAIDs with proton pump inhibitor (PPI), or 4) COX-2. Data on incidence, USA cost and consequences of adverse events from treatments were taken from the literature. Treatment costs of adverse events in Korea were calculated based on each disease code. Health effects were expressed as quality-adjusted life years (QALYs). Sensitivity analyses of probability of GI complication and cost were performed. Costs and health outcomes were discounted at a rate of 3% per year. RESULTS: Among the strategies to prevent GI toxicity, PPI was the most cost-effective strategy in Korea and COX-2 was in USA, respectively. The incremental C/E (cost/effectiveness) ratio between PPI and no prophylaxis was 38,068x103won/QALY (32,044$/QALY) in Korea. The incrementalC/E ratio between COX-2 and no prophylaxis was 53,228$/QALY in USA. The base case analysis results were sensitive to cost of NSAIDs and COX-2 in Korea, and cost of NSAIDs in USA, respectively, and adverse event rates of NSAIDs, misoprostol, and PPI in Korea. The medical cost of NSAID side effects in Korea is 11% of USA, but the sensitivity analyses varying medical costs were robust. The sensitivity analyses using age, discount rate and utility were robust. CONCLUSIONS: Although PPI in Korea and COX-2 in USA are the best option among the strategies to prevent GI toxicity, the incremental C/E ratios between PPI versus no prophylaxis in Korea and COX-2 versus no prophylaxis in USA are over 30,000 and 50,000$/QALY, respectively. However, it appears that the prescription of COX-2 in the group of higher cost NSAIDs users in Korea was the best option.

A Case of Successful Treatment with High Dose Intravenous Immunoglobulin in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patient with Salmonella Group D Bacteremia and Myelofibrosis / 대한류마티스학회지

A 22-year-old woman presented with fever and pancytopenia. One year ago, she was diagnosed as Salmonella group D bacteremia and myelofibrosis associated with SLE at another hospital. She was placed on high dose steroid, however, there was no improvement. Two months ago, she was diagnosed as recurrent Salmonella group D bacteremia. After admission to our hospital, she was placed on intravenous antibiotics and high dose intravenous immunoglobulin. A significant improvement in laboratory and clinical condition occurred and bone marrow biopsy showed complete resolution of fibrosis. We report a case of SLE with myelofibrosis and recurrent Salmonella group D bacteremia.

The pattern of antinuclear antibody and the positive rate of anti-Scl-70 in systemic sclerosis / 대한내과학회지

No abstract available.

'Rhupus syndrome', Coexistence of Rheumatoid Arthritis and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus / 대한류마티스학회지

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to evaluate clinical features of 20 patients with rhupus syndrome and compare its characteristics with systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE) and rheumatoid artiritis(RA). METHODS: Patients considered to have rhupus who met the American College of Rheumatology(ACR) 1997 and 1987 revised criteria for SLE and RA, respectively and age, sex, and disease duration matched 64 patients with RA and 56 patients with SLE were selected for comparison. RESULTS: Twenty patients were all female and their mean age was 43.7+/-9.6 years(range 25~68). They had 5.5 ACR criteria for RA and 5 criteria for SLE. The mean age at onset of RA was 35.2+/-10.5 years(19~63) and that of SLE was 38.2+/-10.0 years(20~63), giving a mean interval between the diagnoses of the two diseases of 3.0+/-5.7 years (14~(-6)). There were 2 patients(10%) with rheumatoid nodule, and 18 patients(90%) with rheumatoid factor, and 16 patients(80%) with bone erosions on hand or wrist joints. The criterial for SLE included malar rash(20%), discoid rash(0%), photosensitivity(30%), oral ulcer(45%), arthritis(100%), serositis(35%), renal disorder(15%), neurologic disorder(0%), hematologic disorder(100%), immunologic disorder(90%), and positive antinuclear antibody(100%). Anti-dsDNA was more than 7.0U/ml in 15 patients(75%). The patients with rhupus syndrome showed lower amount of 24 hour urine protein, more severe radiologic involvement, younger age at onset of arthritis, higher titer of rheumatoid factor, lower frequency of low C3, and less complicated clinical course when compared with the patients with SLE(p<0.05). More frequent anemia, Rayanud's phenomenon, and more complicated clinical course in rhupus when compared with the patientw with RA(p<0.05), but the radiologic stage of hand and wrist was similar between rhupus and RA. CONCLUSION: Rupus syndrome showed somethisg different clinical characteristics and clinical course when compared with SLE and RA.

Adult Onset Still's Disease: Clinical Features and Prognostic Factors in Korea / 대한류마티스학회지

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to review the disease course, clinical and laboratory manifestations, prognosis and treatment of adult onset Still s disease (AOSD) in Korea. METHODS: Thirty-two patients with AOSD were enrolled from 1986 to 1997 in Hanyang University Hospital. Diagnosis of AOSD was based on the criteria proposed by Yamaguchi. We classified the disease course into self-limited, inter mittent, or chronic disease course. RESULTS: Twenty-four (75%) patients were female. Skin rash occurred in 28 (88%) patients, lymphadenopathy in 8 (25%), hepatomegaly in 4 (13%), and pericarditis in 2 (6%) out of 32 patients. The most commonly affected joints were knee joints (88%). Elevated LDH was seen in 18 (60%) patients and decreased CK in 17 (61%) patients. Rheumatoid factor was detected in 4 (13%) patients and ANA in 12 (38%) patients. Anemia (Hb < 10 g/dL) was seen in 13 (41%) patients and hypoalbuminemia (<3. 5 g/dL) in 14 (52%) patients. Elevated ferritin (300 ng/mL) level was seen in 23 (79%) patients. Twenty-five (78%) patients had elevated serum transaminase. Bone marrow studies were performed in 16 patients. Nine out of 16 patients showed hyperplasia of the myeloid series and 2 patients displayed the features of a hemophagocytic syndrome. The mean duration of follow up of 32 patients was 32 months (range 3- 108). Eight (27%) patients had a self-limited, 9 (30%) an intermittent, and 13 (43%) a chronic disease course. The hypoalbuminemia was significantly associated with an "intermittent or chronic disease group" (p<0. 05). Thirty-two patients received systemic corticosteroids and 21 patients received single or combination of disease modifying antirheumatic drugs. CONCLUSION: We found that hypoalbuminemia at presentation was significantly associated with an unfavorable outcome, intermittent or chronic disease group. The clinical manifestations and disease course of AOSD in Korea were similar to those previously reported in other countries except significantly lower incidence of lymphadenopathy, hepatomegaly, and pericarditis.

Two Cases of SAPHO Syndrome / 대한류마티스학회지

SAPHO (synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis, osteitis) syndrome designates a group of articular and osseous manifestations frequently combined with skin disorders. Its fundamental component is inflammatory, pseudoinfectious, and sterile osteitis. The anterior chest wall is the most frequent localization and all the components of this structure may be involved. Palmoplantar pustulosis, psoriasis, acne conglobata, acne ulcerans, acne fulminans, pyoderma gangrenosum can be associated with the characteristic bone lesions. We report two cases of SAPHO syndrome : A 40-year-old female presented with both buttock pain with hyperostosis, costochondritis, synovitis and pustulosis palmaris and a 23-year-old male presented with migrating polyarthritis with costochondritis, synovitis, acne, pustulosis.