Metabolic Syndrome Severity Score for Predicting Cardiovascular Events: A Nationwide Population-Based Study from Korea

Background@#Recently, a metabolic syndrome severity score (MS score) using a dataset of the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys has been developed. We aimed to determine whether the newly developed score is a significant predictor of cardiovascular (CV) events among the Korean population. @*Methods@#From the Korean National Health Insurance System, 2,541,364 (aged 40 to 59 years) subjects with no history of CV events (ischemic stroke or myocardial infarction [MI]), who underwent health examinations from 2009 to 2011 and were followed up until 2014 to 2017, were identified. Cox proportional hazard model was employed to investigate the association between MS score and CV events. Model performance of MS score for predicting CV events was compared to that of conventional metabolic syndrome diagnostic criteria (Adult Treatment Program III [ATP-III]) using the Akaike information criterion and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve. @*Results@#Over a median follow-up of 6 years, 15,762 cases of CV events were reported. MS score at baseline showed a linear association with incident CV events. In the multivariable-adjusted model, the hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) comparing the highest versus lowest quartiles of MS score were 1.48 (1.36 to 1.60) for MI and 1.89 (1.74 to 2.05) for stroke. Model fitness and performance of the MS score in predicting CV events were superior to those of ATP-III. @*Conclusion@#The newly developed age- and sex-specific continuous MS score for the Korean population is an independent predictor of ischemic stroke and MI in Korean middle-aged adults even after adjusting for confounding factors.

Metabolic Syndrome Severity Score for Predicting Cardiovascular Events: A Nationwide Population-Based Study from Korea

Background@#Recently, a metabolic syndrome severity score (MS score) using a dataset of the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys has been developed. We aimed to determine whether the newly developed score is a significant predictor of cardiovascular (CV) events among the Korean population. @*Methods@#From the Korean National Health Insurance System, 2,541,364 (aged 40 to 59 years) subjects with no history of CV events (ischemic stroke or myocardial infarction [MI]), who underwent health examinations from 2009 to 2011 and were followed up until 2014 to 2017, were identified. Cox proportional hazard model was employed to investigate the association between MS score and CV events. Model performance of MS score for predicting CV events was compared to that of conventional metabolic syndrome diagnostic criteria (Adult Treatment Program III [ATP-III]) using the Akaike information criterion and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve. @*Results@#Over a median follow-up of 6 years, 15,762 cases of CV events were reported. MS score at baseline showed a linear association with incident CV events. In the multivariable-adjusted model, the hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) comparing the highest versus lowest quartiles of MS score were 1.48 (1.36 to 1.60) for MI and 1.89 (1.74 to 2.05) for stroke. Model fitness and performance of the MS score in predicting CV events were superior to those of ATP-III. @*Conclusion@#The newly developed age- and sex-specific continuous MS score for the Korean population is an independent predictor of ischemic stroke and MI in Korean middle-aged adults even after adjusting for confounding factors.

Long V-Y advancement technique for large nipple reconstruction in Asian women

Previously reported nipple-areolar complex reconstruction (NAR) methods involve multiple incisions and wide skin redraping, which increase retraction forces and heighten the risk of nipple-areolar complex (NAC) flattening. We introduce a NAR method using the long V-Y advancement technique that can overcome these disadvantages. A V-shaped flap is designed with the width of the flap base 4–5 mm larger than the diameter of the normal nipple. The flap length is designed to be at least 2.5 times its width. Dissection is performed to the top of the artificial dermal matrix or muscle layer. The nipple is constructed with the same projection as the contralateral side by folding the elevated flap. The tip of the elevated flap is apposed in the middle of the donor defect to minimize the deformity during donor site closure. A 3-point skin suture is applied to the upper third of the folded flap to mold its shape. Using this long V-Y advancement technique, we successfully decreased skin tension in NAC flaps and improved the maintenance of reconstructed nipple projection. The long V-Y advancement technique provides an easy, simple NAR method, effectively maintaining longer nipple projections and reducing breast deformities, especially in Asian women with relatively large nipples.

A case report of Madelung’s disease

Madelung’s disease (MD) otherwise known as Launois-Bensaude syndrome, multiple symmetrical lipomatosis, or benign symmetric lipomatosis, is a rare disease characterized by abnormal diffuse lipomatosis in proximal upper limbs and neck. Here, we report a rare case of MD. A 66-year-old man presented with massive growth of soft tissues in the cervico-occipital region of more than 2 years duration. Physical examination showed diffuse enlargement of the anterior neck (Madelung’s collar) and three huge humps at the posterior neck. Under a diagnosis of MD, lipectomy via a single anterior transverse incision and liposuction were performed. This rare case report may be helpful for assessing patients with abnormal diffuse lipomatosis in the neck and proximal upper limbs.

Are postoperative prophylactic antibiotics in closed reduction of nasal bone fracture valuable?: prospective study of 30 cases

BACKGROUND: Prophylactic antibiotic administration after surgery for a nasal bone fracture is performed due to concerns about infection-related complications, such as, toxic shock syndrome. To evaluate the validity and efficacy of antibiotic use, we compared the results obtained and the bacterial profiles of nasal packing materials in patients that underwent closed reduction for a nasal bone fracture with or without prophylactic antibiotic administration. METHODS: Thirty consecutive patients with a nasal bone fracture, but without an open wound, that underwent closed reduction during March to August 2017 were included in the present study. Fifteen of these 30 patients were randomly assigned to a control group, members of were administered postoperative intravenous antibiotics once at the day of surgery and then oral antibiotics for 4 days. The other 15 patients were assigned to an experimental group and not administered any antibiotic postoperatively. Antibiotic ointment was not applied to nasal packing in either group. Nasal packing was removed on postoperative day 4 in all cases. Removed nasal gauze packings were culture tested and strains identified in the two groups were compared. RESULTS: Bacterial strain types cultured from packings were similar in the experimental and control groups and no patient showed signs of clinically significant infection. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study suggest postoperative prophylactic antibiotic use is not clinically required after closed reduction of a nasal bone fracture. Furthermore, the non-use of postoperative antibiotics is biologically beneficial, as it reduces the occurrence of resistant strains and medical costs, and is more convenient for patients.

Determination of pretreatment serum CEA and SCCA in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma

A case report of pleomorphic adenoma in the parapharyngeal space