Development of Koreans Gut Quotient Measurement Scales / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of this study was to develop ‘Koreans Gut Quotient Measurement Scales (GQ)’, in which Koreans respond to questionnaires about the subjective feelings and symptoms of their intestinal health status.METHODS: Among 66 items pooled from previous studies and 4 items that were added following a focus group interview, 15 items were chosen using the Delphi survey. The content validity was evaluated using the content validity ratio. Data collected from 1,120 people from the general public in Korea were analyzed to verify the reliability and validity of GQ.RESULTS: The finalized GQ consisted of 17 items (including two exploratory measurement items) that were classified into three independent factors based on exploratory factor analysis (EFA): ‘perceived intestine discomfort’, ‘bowel movement discomfort’, and ‘bowel movement control discomfort’. The discriminant and convergent validity of GQ were identified using EFA, reliability test, and confirmatory factor analysis. In addition, the criterion-related validity of GQ was identified using correlation and multiple regression analysis.CONCLUSIONS: The GQ, which is a simplified intestinal health index developed based on an easy questionnaire for the public to understand, can be used as a tool for the public to evaluate their own intestinal health and determine when to visit clinics.

Development of Koreans Gut Quotient Measurement Scales / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of this study was to develop ‘Koreans Gut Quotient Measurement Scales (GQ)’, in which Koreans respond to questionnaires about the subjective feelings and symptoms of their intestinal health status. METHODS: Among 66 items pooled from previous studies and 4 items that were added following a focus group interview, 15 items were chosen using the Delphi survey. The content validity was evaluated using the content validity ratio. Data collected from 1,120 people from the general public in Korea were analyzed to verify the reliability and validity of GQ. RESULTS: The finalized GQ consisted of 17 items (including two exploratory measurement items) that were classified into three independent factors based on exploratory factor analysis (EFA): ‘perceived intestine discomfort’, ‘bowel movement discomfort’, and ‘bowel movement control discomfort’. The discriminant and convergent validity of GQ were identified using EFA, reliability test, and confirmatory factor analysis. In addition, the criterion-related validity of GQ was identified using correlation and multiple regression analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The GQ, which is a simplified intestinal health index developed based on an easy questionnaire for the public to understand, can be used as a tool for the public to evaluate their own intestinal health and determine when to visit clinics.

Case of Ischemic Colitis Associated with Pseudoephedrine

Ischemic colitis is the consequence of a sudden reduction in colon blood supply, which in turn results in ischemic injury. The splenic flexure and rectosigmoid junction are the areas most often affected. Ischemic colitis occurs with greater frequency in the elderly and is caused by various medications and procedures. Pseudoephedrine acts as a vasoconstrictor directly affecting adrenal receptors of nasal mucous membrane. Pseudoephedrine occasionally causes vascular insufficiency due to intense vasoconstriction, even at standard doses. Ischemic colitis associated with pseudoephedrine has been reported in other countries,, but it has never been reported in Korea. In this paper, we describe 3 cases of ischemic colitis that occurred after taking pseudoephedrine for nasal congestion.

The Effect of Intratympanically Delivered Lidocaine on Otoacoustic Emission in Tinnitus Patients / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Tinnitus is one of the most obscure otological pathologies. There is no universally proved treatment modality for tinnitus. Intratympanic lidocaine injection is one of the therapeutic trials. In this study, authors investigated the effects of intratympanically delivered lidocaine on the auditory system in humans. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two percent of 0.25 cc lidocaine was delivered intratympanically to the affected ears in 5 normal hearing patients with unilateral tinnitus. We assessed auditory function by pure tone audiometry, tympanometry, tinnitus study, auditon evoked otoacoustic emissions, and ABR to observe possible druge Rects in the auditory system. In all five patients, saline was injected to the other intact ear for control purposes. RESULTS: Saline injection did not create significant changes in any of the measures. Intratympanic lidocaine injection did not make any differences between pre- and post-injection audiologic tests except otoacoustic emissions and tinnitus study. It suppressed otoacoustic emmisions and reduced loudness of tinnitus by 10 dB. Lidocaine injection did not cause any changes in latencies or amplitudes in the auditory brainstem response (ABR). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that intratympanically delivered lidocaine has an effect on the organ of Corti structures in human subjects without significantly affecting the auditory nerve or the central auditory pathways. Further investigations on the concentration and volume of intratympanically delivered lidocaine should be made in order to manage patients with tinnitus clinically.

The Effect of Alcohol on Dynamic Posturography / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The acute effect of alcohol is well known. However, although many authors have studied the effect of alcohol on equilibrium and found a deteriorated balancing capacity, objective studies of deteriorated balancing capacity have rarely been reported. The object of this study is to assess the effect of alcohol on vestibular function impairment by dynamic posturography. MAERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve healthy male volunteers aged 23-27 years (mean 25years) were assessed by dynamic posturography 30 min, 60 min and 90 min before and after the ingestion of alcohol. Alcohol levels were measured by blood samples 30, 60 and 90 min before, at and after ingestion. The samples were analyzed for alcohol by chromatography (SIGMA diagnostics). Each condition in SOT and latencies in MCT were used to estimate the effect of alcohol. RESULTS: The obtained results were as follows: 1) The time when serum alcohol concentration reach the maximum was 60 minute (50%). 2) Conditions 4, 5, 6 and composite scores showed statistically significant lower equilibrium scores (p0.05). CONCLUSION: Acute alcohol ingestion influences impairment of vestibular and visual input on equilibrium.