The Korean guideline for hepatocellular carcinoma surveillance

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the major cancers with a high incidence and mortality in Korea. A Korean multidisciplinary collaborative committee consisting of hepatologists, radiologists, epidemiologists and family medicine doctors systematically reviewed clinical practice guidelines in the world and literatures. The level of evidence for each recommendation was assessed and discussed to reach a consensus. Meta-analysis was also conducted to evaluate the grade of recommendation for the five key questions. Several randomized controlled studies and cohort studies showed a survival gain associated with surveillance for those at risk of developing HCC. The target populations for HCC surveillance were identified as hepatitis B virus or hepatitis C virus carriers and cirrhotic patients, since numerous studies revealed that these patients have significantly higher risk of HCC compared with non-infected or non-cirrhotic controls. Individual surveillance strategy according to treatment history or degree of fibrosis in patients with viral hepatitis remains to be settled. Based on several cohort and randomized studies, a surveillance interval of six months was recommend. The starting age of surveillance was determined as 40 years from the epidemiologic data. Although ultrasonography (US) is the mainstay for detection of HCC, its sensitivity is not fully accepted. Measurement of serum alpha-fetoprotein can complement US examination, increasing the sensitivity of HCC detection. The recommendation for HCC surveillance is that those with hepatitis B virus (or hepatitis C virus) infection or cirrhosis should have liver US and serum alpha-fetoprotein measurement every six months from 40 years of age or at the time of diagnosis of cirrhosis.

The Korean guideline for colorectal cancer screening

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in Korea; it is the second most common cancer in men and the third most common in women. The incidence rate in Korea has continuously increased since 1999 when the National Cancer Registry statistics began. Currently; there are several screening modalities; that have been recommended by expert societies, including fecal occult blood test, colonoscopy, computed tomographic colonography The annual fecal immunochemical test (FIT) has been used in adults aged 50 and older as part of the National Cancer Screening Program in Korea since 2004. Although several study results from regional or national colorectal cancer screening programs in other countries have been reported, the National Cancer Screening Program in Korea has not yet been evaluated with evidence-based methods. Herein report the consensus statements on the National Screening Guideline for colorectal cancer developed by a multi-society expert committee in Korea, as follows: 1) We recommend annual or biennial FIT for screening for colorectal cancer in asymptomatic adults, beginning at 45 years of age and continuing until 80 years (recommendation B). 2) There is no evidence for the risks or benefits of FIT in adults older than 80 years (recommendation I). 3) Selective use of colonoscopy for colorectal cancer screening is recommended, taking into consideration individual preference and the risk of colorectal cancer (recommendation C). 4) There is no evidence for the risks or benefits of double-contrast barium enema for colorectal cancer screening in asymptomatic adults (recommendation I). 5) There is no evidence for the risks or benefits of computed tomographic colonography for colorectal cancer screening in asymptomatic adults (recommendation I).

Effects of Tracheal Suction and Method of Bronchodilator Inhalation on Vital Signs and Pulmonary Functions in Patients with Open Heart Surgery(OHS) / 기본간호학회지

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of tracheal suction and the effects of different methods of bronchodilator inhalation (Ultrasonic nebulizer, MDI puff, MDI puff with spacer) in VSD surgery patients. MATERIAL & METHOD: From June 2001 to March 2002, sixty consecutive patients were randomly assigned to a control group (n= 15), ultrasonic nebulizer group (n=15), metered dose inhalation (MDI) puff group (n=15) and MDI with spacer group (n=15). Vital signs (HR, BP, CVP), ABGA and pulmonary functions were measured before suction (baseline for suction), after suction, 15 minutes after suction (base of bronchodilator inhalation), 30 minutes after bronchodilator inhalation, and 2 hours after bronchodilator inhalation. Stastistical analysis was performed using SPSS software. Repeated measure ANOVA was used to examine the effects of tracheal suction. One way ANOVA with Bonferroni's correction and mutiple range test (the least significant difference test) were used to examine the effects of albuterol inhalation. RESULT: 1. Heart rate increased significantly immediately after suction (p<0.01) and recovered 15 minutes after suction. 2. PaO2 and PH decreased significantly immediately after suction (p<0.05) and PaO2 recovered 15 minutes after suction. PaCO2 increased immediately after suction and significantly 15 minutes after suction (p<0.01). But changes in vital signs and ABGA were within the normal range. 3. Tidal volume decreased significantly 15 minutes after suction (p<0.05) 4. Changes of HR and tidal volume were greater in the nebuizer group compared to the other groups (p<0.05) 30 minutes after bronchodilator inhalation and recovered 2 hours after bronchodilator inhalation. 5. Changes of airway deadspace was greater in the nebulizer group compared to the control group and MDI puff group 30 minutes after albuterol inhalation (p<0.05) and at 2 hours (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: Tracheal suction did not have significant effect on vital signs and pulmonary functions after OHS. Although the methods of bronchodilator inhalation did not showed any significant difference on pulmonary function, the nebulizer method increased PaO2 (20%) and tidal volume transiently. If the patient needs bronchodilator inhalation with bronchospasm after OHS, the nebulizer method is the best choice. More study on the effects of bronchodilator inhalation in bronchospasm group is needed.