Association of Abdominal Aortic Calcification with Lifestyle and Risk Factors of Cardiovascular Disease / 가정의학회지

BACKGROUND: Abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) is a marker of subclinical atherosclerotic disease and an independent predictor of subsequent vascular morbidity and mortality. This study was conducted to investigate the association of AAC with lifestyle and risk factors of cardiovascular disease. METHODS: The results of the abdominal computed tomography of 380 patients who visited Chungnam National University Hospital for a health checkup from January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2009 were reviewed. A six-point scale was used in grading the overall severity of the calcification in three areas of the abdominal aorta, including the area superior to the renal artery, the upper-half area inferior to the renal artery, and the lower-half area inferior to the renal artery, in addition to the common iliac artery. The association of the AAC severity with the age, lifestyle factors, and risk factors of cardiovascular disease was analyzed via multiple linear regression analysis. RESULTS: In the male subjects, the age, presence of dyslipidemia and smoking were positively related to AAC, but exercising was negatively related to AAC (total R2 = 0.563). In the female subjects, the age and presence of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and dyslipidemia were positively related to AAC, but exercising was negatively related to AAC (total R2 = 0.547). CONCLUSION: AAC was related to both the male and female subjects' age, presence of dyslipidemia, and exercising, to smoking in the male subjects and to the presence of diabetes mellitus and hypertension in the female subjects.

Relationships between the Level of Alcohol Consumption and Abnormality in Biomarkers According to Facial Flushing in Korean Male Drinkers / 가정의학회지

BACKGROUND: This research investigated the association between facial flushing after drinking and alcohol-induced biomarker abnormalities. METHODS: This retrospective study included 374 male drinkers who visited the department of Family Medicine of Chungnam National University Hospital between January and December of 2010. The participants were classified into two groups: the flushing group (n = 107) and the non-flushing group (n = 267). The biomarkers assessed were % carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (CDT) and gamma glutamyl transferase (rGTP). The upper limits of %CDT and rGTP were set as 2.47 and 50, respectively. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to obtain the cut-off value for the amount of drinking that caused abnormal %CDT and rGTP levels in the two groups. The sensitivity and specificity of the cut-off drinking amount for %CDT and rGTP abnormalities were analyzed in each group. RESULTS: In the flushing group, the cut-off value for alcohol-induced %CDT abnormality was 3.38 drinks (1 drink: 14 g of alcohol) per week, with sensitivity of 77.8% and specificity of 70.4%. In the non-flushing group, the cut-off value was 11.25 drinks per week, with sensitivity of 62.2% and specificity of 69.6%. The cut-off value for the amount of alcohol that induced rGTP abnormality was 3.38 drinks per week in the flushing group, with sensitivity of 68.0% and specificity of 76.8%, whereas it was 8.75 drinks in the non-flushing group, with sensitivity of 71.1% and specificity of 66.7%. The area under the ROC of the drinking level was 0.726 in the flushing group and 0.684 in the non-flushing group for %CDT. For rGTP, the value was 0.738 in the flushing group and 0.718 in the non-flushing group. CONCLUSION: The weekly drinking amount required to induce biomarker abnormalities was lower in the flushers than in the non-flushers.

Depression, Anxiety, and Sleep Disturbances in Patients with Hemodialysis / 신경정신의학

OBJECTIVES: Psychological distresses and complaints in sleep, in addition to physical distresses such as pruritus and bone pain, are common in patients with hemodialysis. The purposes of this study were to investigate 1)the severity of physical distresses, 2)the severity of depression and anxiety, 3)the sleep disturbances, and 4)the correlation of the above variables in patients with hemodialysis. METHODS: The patients with hemodialysis (male 87, female 66)and controls (male 58, female 55)completed a self-administered questionnaire package, which included Beck Depression Inventory, Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and questions characterizing the reported sleep problems and quantitating the severity of the self-perceived physical and psychological conditions with linear visual analogue scales. RESULTS: The results indicated that patients with hemodialysis complained of more physical distresses, more depressed mood, and more sleep disturbances suggesting insomnia, restless legs syndrome, periodic limb movement disorder, nightmare and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, etc. There were significant positive correlations of physical distresses, depressed mood and sleep disturbances. However, there were no significant differences in state and trait anxiety between both groups. CONCLUSIONS: The authors suggest that the quality of life in patients with hemodialysis will be improved if their emotional and sleep disturbances are properly ameliorated.