The Preference Survey for Long-Acting Injectable Antipsychotics of Community-Dwelling Patients with Schizophrenia and their Caregivers / 대한정신분열병학회지

OBJECTIVE: The prescription rates of long-acting injectable (LAI) antipsychotics are very low around 1% in Korea. This study was aimed to explore the preference of LAIs in patients with schizophrenia, who are currently living in community, and their caregivers. METHODS: The patients, diagnosed with schizophrenia by DSM-IV TR and were registered in the 31 mental health centers of Gyeonggi province and their caregivers were inquired the knowledge of the LAIs. The questionnaires contained information such as demographic characteristics, history of psychiatric treatment, and so on. RESULTS: About 5,318 were registered in 31 community mental health centers of Gyeonggi province in February 2012. The questionnaires of 614 patients and 365 caregivers were gathered from 20 community mental health centers. The mean ages (+/-SD) of patients and caregivers were 41.9 (+/-10.2) and 62.2 (+/-13.4) years old, respectively. 272 patients (44.6%) had experienced the discontinuation of medications without doctor's consent. 217 patients (35.9%) and 97 caregivers (27.1%) knew about the LAIs. The preference rates for LAIs were 35.2% and 46.8% for the patients and caregivers, respectively. CONCLUSION: There is still huge discrepancy between the preference and the real prescriptions of LAIs in community-dwelling patients and their caregivers, much higher than in those of hospital settings. This study suggests that both patients and caregivers registered in the community mental health centers have a strong commitment to live in the community. The obstacles against the benefits of LAIs need to be resolved.

A Case of Protein-losing Enteropathy Treated with High Dose Intravenous Glucocorticoid Therapy in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus / 영남의대학술지

Generalized edema and hypoalbuminemia are relatively common presenting manifestations in many clinical situations. The differential diagnosis of hypoalbuminemia include: Kwashiorkor, synthetic dysfunction of the liver, and excessive protein loss as in nephrotic syndrome. In systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), hypoalbuminemia and generalized edema are most commonly due to protein loss associated with lupus nephritis; gastrointestinal involvement is uncommon, and therefore protein loss through the gastrointestinal tract is quite rare. We report a case of a protein losing enteropathy (PLE) associated with SLE. The patient was referred to our hospital for generalized edema, arthralgia and facial rash. After clinical evaluation, the patient met the criteria for the SLE diagnosis; hypoalbuminemia with general edema was consistent with a protein losing enteropathy. After two weeks of therapy with parenteral high dose glucocorticoid, the patients was improved in laboratory findings as well as clinical symptoms.

Cardiogenic Dizziness Treated with Cardiac Pacemaker: Reports of Four Cases / 대한이비인후과학회지

Decreased cardiac output can present dizziness that is usually described as light-headed sensation of an impending faint. It is often associated with a feeling of unsteadiness or even of falling. Cardiogenic dizziness should always be included as a differential diagnosis especially when examining older patients with dizziness. It is obviously important to identify patients with heart related presyncope or syncope, because many of them have serious underlying cardiac diseases and are at risk for sudden death, if not appropriately treated. Four patients with dizziness were diagnosed at the University Hospital as having dizziness originated from decreased cardiac output. Two had the sick sinus syndrome, one had a complete AV block and one had a congestive heart failure with 2nd degree AV block. After evaluation and cardiac pacemaker implantation, they all became free of dizziness. We present these cases with some review of cardiogenic dizziness.

Acute Hemodynamic Effects of Sublingual Captopril in Regurgitant Valvular Heart Disease

BACKGROUND: Many Studies regarding hemodynamic changes by various vasodilators, such as nitroprusside, nifedipine, and hydralazine have been reported, however little data are available upon acute hemodynamic change due to captopril, an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor especially in chronic regurgitant valvular heart disease. Therefore the aim of this study is to evaluate the acute hemodynamic effects of sublingual captopril in patients with regurgitant valvular heart diseases. METHODS: Among the 9 patients enrolled in this study, 5 patients mitral regurgitation, 2 had aortic regurgitation, and 2 had both. Five had patients were male and 4 were female. Before, 15 minutes and 30 minutes after administration of 25mg of captopril via sublingual route, forward cardiac output was measured three times using Swan-Ganz catheter. Right and left cardiac catheterization were also done at each phase and measurement of pulmonary capillary wedge pressures, pulmonary artery pressures, right atrial pressures, aortic pressures, left ventricular pressures were done. RESULTS: 1) Heart rate, pulmonary capillary wedge pressures, cardiac output and cardiac indices left ventricular end-diastolic pressure, diastolic and mean aortic pressures, and diastolic pulmonary artery pressure showed no significant change after administration of sublingual captopril. 2) Systolic aortic pressure decreased significantly from basal value(130+/-35) to 15 minute value(126+/-39). 3) Systemic vascular resistance at 15 minute showed significant reduction as compared with basal value(from 1743+/-551 to 1642+/-491). Pulmonary vascular resistance at 30 minutes(254+/-193) was significantly lower than basal value(282+/-229). CONCLUSIONS: Reductions of systemic and pulmonary vascular resistance occurred relatively rapidly, however, acute effects on cardiac output and pulmonary capillary wedge pressures were not evident. Clinical implication of sublingual captopril in patients with regurgitant valvular heart diseases is worth evaluationg by more extensive hemodynamic studies.